Vaccine against klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I): T*-[(—Ux+4—Ux+3—Ux+2—Ux+1—Ux)m—(Vx+2—Vx+1—Vx)1-m-T-O-L-E that is related to Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 lipopolysaccharide and conjugate thereof. Said synthetic oligosaccharide, said conjugate and pharmaceutical composition containing said synthetic oligosaccharide or said conjugate are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Furthermore, the synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I) is useful as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I) that is related to Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 lipopolyoligosaccharide specifically the O-antigens and conjugate thereof. Said synthetic oligosaccharide, said conjugate and pharmaceutical composition containing said synthetic oligosaccharide or said conjugate are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae, more specifically of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5. Furthermore, the synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I) is useful as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium colonizing mostly the respiratory and urinary tracts and causing K. pneumoniae infections (KPIs). KPI is the main cause of nosocomial infections, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. In the last ten years, infections caused by K. pneumoniae are becoming an important challenge in health-care settings due to the emergence of strains resistant to almost all available antimicrobial agents and their worldwide dissemination. Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Thus, prevention of infections caused by K. pneumoniae is highly desirable, and vaccination of risk groups is the most cost-efficient and the most powerful means.

K. pneumoniae bacteria typically express two types of antigens on their cell surfaces. The first, O-antigen, is a component of the lipopolyoligosaccharide (LPS), of which 9 serogroups exist. The second is K antigen, a capsular polysaccharide/oligosaccharide with more than 80 serotypes. The O-antigen is the most variable portion of the LPS and provides serological specificity, which together with the K antigen is used for serotyping. Both antigens are composed of complex polysaccharide/oligosaccharides on the bacterial surface, which are highly immunogenic and nontoxic. In comparison with proteins, carbohydrates are evolutionarily more stable. When covalently connected to a carrier protein, oligosaccharide antigens can elicit long lasting, T-cell-dependent protection (Microbiol Rev 1995, 591). For a review on current development of carbohydrate vaccines see Chem. & Biol. 2014, 21, 38-50. For a review on automated carbohydrate synthesis and its application in the development of carbohydrate-based vaccines see Carbohydr. Res. 2008, 343, 1889-1896.

WO 2016/156338 A1 discloses synthetic carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae oligosaccharides and conjugates thereof for the treatment of diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.

The article Vaccine 1986, 4, 15 reports on a hexavalent Klebsiella vaccine composed of the capsular polysaccharide derived from K2, K3, K10, K21, K30 and K55 serotypes. The tested vaccine was found to be highly protective against fatal experimental Klebsiella K2 burn wound sepsis, thus indicating that functional antibody is elicited following vaccination.

The repeating unit of the O-antigens, i.e. O-polysaccharides of K. pneumoniae was elucidated (The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2002, 277 (28), 25070-25081) (see FIG. 1).

The repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide of K. pneumoniae serotype O3 consists of:

-   -   →2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1,         3)-α-D-Man-(1→]_(m).

The repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide of K. pneumoniae serotype O3b consists of:

-   -   →2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1→]_(m).

The repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide of K. pneumoniae serotype O5 consists of:

-   -   →3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1→.

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a well-defined synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I) that is related to Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and O5 lipopolysaccharide and contains a protective immunogenic O-antigen epitope i.e. a O-antigen epitope that elicits antibodies which protect against diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and serotype O5. Said oligosaccharide can be conjugated to an immunogenic carrier to provide a conjugate and pharmaceutical composition thereof that are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and serotype O5. Furthermore, the synthetic oligosaccharide of general formula (I) is useful as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.

The objective of the present invention is solved by the teaching of the independent claims. Further advantageous features, aspects and details of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, the description, the figures, and the examples of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The term “linker” as used herein encompasses molecular fragments capable of connecting the reducing-end monosaccharide of an oligosaccharide with an immunogenic carrier or a solid support, optionally by binding to at least one interconnecting molecule. Thus, the function of the linker per se or together with the interconnecting molecule is to establish, keep and/or bridge a special distance between the reducing-end monosaccharide and an immunogenic carrier or a solid support. By keeping a certain distance between the oligosaccharide and the immunogenic carrier the shielding of immunogenic oligosaccharide epitopes by the structure of the immunogenic carrier (e.g. secondary structure of a carrier protein) is avoided. In addition, the linker provides greater efficiency of coupling with oligosaccharides by reducing steric hindrance of reactive groups (Methods in Molecular Medicine 2003, 87, 153-174). More specifically, one extremity of the linker is connected to the exocyclic oxygen atom at the anomeric center of the reducing-end monosaccharide and the other extremity is connected via the nitrogen atom with the interconnecting molecule, or directly with the immunogenic carrier or the solid support.

Any linker for oligosaccharide conjugates (e.g. polysaccharide and oligosaccharide-carrier protein conjugate, antibody-drug conjugate) known in the art can be used within the present invention. From the large number of publications directed to polysaccharide and oligosaccharide carrier protein conjugates the person skilled in the art can readily envision suitable linkers for the herein disclosed oligosaccharides and conjugates (see “Antimicrobial glycoconjugate vaccines: an overview of classic and modern approaches for protein modification” in Chem Soc Rev. 2018, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C8CS00495A; Acc Chem Res 2017, 50, 1270-1279) since the used linker, i.e. its length and linkage type, does not significantly influence the immunogenicity of a oligosaccharide conjugate (see PLoS ONE 2017, 12(12): e0189100, J. Immun. Meth. 1996, 191, 1-10). Such suitable linkers are harmless (i.e. non-toxic) and non-immunogenic (i.e. do not lead to the formation of nonprotective antibodies on immunization with a conjugate) and include but are not restricted to commercially available bifunctional polyethylene glycol (Journal of Controlled Release 2013, 172, 382-389, J. Immun. Meth. 1996, 191, 1-10), glutaric acid derivatives (J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70(18), 7123-7132), adipic acid derivatives, squarate derivatives, alkynes, N-hydroxysuccinimides, such as the commercially available MFCO-NHS (monofluoro-substituted cyclooctyne N-hydroxysuccinimide ester), maleimides (as disclosed in Acc Chem Res 2017, 50, 1270-1279), or hydrophilic alkyl phosphinates and sulfonyls (as described in WO2014080251A1).

As used herein, the term “interconnecting molecule” refers to a bifunctional molecule containing functional group X and functional group Y, wherein functional group X is capable of reacting with the terminal amino group on the linker L and the functional group Y is capable of reacting with a functionality present on an immunogenic carrier or on a solid support. FIG. 3 displays examples of commercially available interconnecting molecules, but does not restrict the interconnecting molecules that can be used according to the present invention to the examples displayed herein.

The term “adjuvant” as used herein refers to an immunological adjuvant i.e. a material used in a vaccine composition that modifies or augments the effects of said vaccine by enhancing the immune response to a given antigen contained in the vaccine without being antigenically related to it. For the person skilled in the art, classically recognized examples of adjuvants include:

-   -   mineral-containing compositions, including calcium salts and         aluminium salts (or mixtures thereof). Calcium salts include         calcium phosphate. Aluminium salts include hydroxides,         phosphates, sulfates, etc., with the salts taking any suitable         form (e.g. gel, crystalline, amorphous, etc.). Adsorption to         these salts is preferred. The mineral containing compositions         may also be formulated as a particle of metal salt. The         adjuvants known as aluminium hydroxide and aluminium phosphate         may be also used. The invention can use any of the “hydroxide”         or “phosphate” adjuvants that are in general used as adjuvants.         The adjuvants known as “aluminium hydroxide” are typically         aluminium oxyhydroxide salts, which are usually at least         partially crystalline.

The adjuvants known as “aluminium phosphate” are typically aluminium hydroxyphosphates, often also containing a small amount of sulfate (i. e. aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulfate). They may be obtained by precipitation, and the reaction conditions and concentrations during precipitation influence the degree of substitution of phosphate for hydroxyl in the salt. Mixtures of both an aluminium hydroxide and an aluminium phosphate can be employed in the formulation according to the present invention;

-   -   saponins, which are a heterologous group of sterol glycosides         and triterpenoid glycosides that are found in the bark, leaves,         stems, roots and even flowers of a wide range of plant species.         Saponins from the bark of the Quillaia saponaria, Molina tree         have been widely studied as adjuvants. Saponins can also be         commercially obtained from Smilax ornata (sarsaparilla),         Gypsophila paniculata (brides veil), and Saponaria officinalis         (soap root). Saponin adjuvant formulations include purified         formulations, such as QS21, as well as lipid formulations, such         as ISCOMs. Saponin compositions have been purified using HPLC         and RP-HPLC. Specific purified fractions using these techniques         have been identified, including QS 7, QS 17, QS 18, QS21, QH-A,         QH-B and QH-C. Saponin formulations may also comprise a sterol,         such as cholesterol. Combinations of saponins and cholesterols         can be used to form unique particles called immunostimulating         complexes (ISCOMs). ISCOMs generally include a phospholipid such         as phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine. Any known         saponin can be used in ISCOMs. Preferably, the ISCOM includes         one or more of QuilA, QHA & QHC;     -   microparticles (i.e. a particle of 100 nm to 150 pm in diameter,         more preferably 200 nm to 30 pm in diameter, or 500 nm to 10 pm         in diameter) formed from materials that are biodegradable and         non-toxic. Such non-toxic and biodegradable materials include,         but are not restricted to poly(α-hydroxy acid),         polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoester, polyanhydride,         polycaprolactone;     -   CD1d ligands, such as an α-glycosylceramide,         phytosphingosine-containing α-glycosylceramides, OCH, KRN7000         [(2S,3S,4R)-1-O-(α-D-galactopyranosyl)-2-(N-hexacosanoylamino)-1,3,4-octadecanetriol],         CRONY-101, 3″-sulfo-galactosyl-ceramide; 7DW8-5 (Funakoshi Co.,         Ltd.)     -   immunostimulatory oligonucleotides, such CpG motif containing         ones (a dinucleotide sequence containing an unmethylated         cytosine residue linked by a phosphate bond to a guanosine         residue), or CpI motif containing ones (a dinucleotide sequence         containing cytosine linked to inosine), or a double-stranded         RNA, or an oligonucleotide containing a palindromic sequence, or         an oligonucleotide containing a poly(dG) sequence.         Immunostimulatory oligonucleotides can include nucleotide         modifications/analogs such as phosphorothioate modifications and         can be double-stranded or (except for RNA) single-stranded;     -   compounds containing lipids linked to a phosphate-containing         acyclic backbone, such as the TLR4 antagonist E5564;     -   oil emulsions (e.g. Freund's adjuvant), outer membrane vesicles         (OMVs).

Theoretically, each molecule or substance that is able to favor or amplify a particular situation in the cascade of immunological events, ultimately leading to a more pronounced immunological response, can be defined as an adjuvant.

In principle, through the use of adjuvants in vaccine formulations, one can:

-   -   direct and optimize immune responses that are appropriate or         desirable for the vaccine;     -   enable mucosal delivery of vaccines, i.e. administration that         results in contact of the vaccine with a mucosal surface such as         buccal or gastric or lung epithelium and the associated lymphoid         tissue;     -   promote cell-mediated immune responses;     -   enhance the immunogenicity of weaker immunogens, such as highly         purified or recombinant antigens;     -   reduce the amount of antigen or the frequency of immunization         required to provide protective immunity; and     -   improve the efficacy of vaccines in individuals with reduced or         weakened immune responses, such as newborns, the aged, and         immunocompromised vaccine recipients.

Although little is known about their mode of action, it is currently believed that adjuvants augment immune responses by one of the following mechanisms:

-   -   increasing the biological or immunologic half-life of antigens;     -   improving antigen delivery to antigen-presenting cells (APCs),         as well as antigen processing and presentation by the APCs e.g.,         by enabling antigen to cross endosomal membranes into the         cytosol after ingestion of antigen-adjuvant complexes by APC;     -   mimicking danger inducing signals from stressed or damaged         cells, which serve to initiate an immune response;     -   inducing the production of immunomodulatory cytokines;     -   biasing the immune response towards a specific subset of the         immune system; and—blocking the rapid dispersal of the antigen         challenge.

Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are known by the person skilled in the art as TI-2 (T cell independent-2) antigens and poor immunogens, if they are not zwitterionic. Therefore, to produce a poly-,oligosaccharide-based vaccine, said poly-, oligosaccharides are conjugated to an immunogenic carrier to provide a conjugate, which presents an increased immunogenicity in comparison with the poly- or oligosaccharide. In this context the term “immunogenic carrier” is defined as a structure, which is conjugated to the poly-, oligosaccharide to form a conjugate that presents an increased immunity in comparison with the poly-, oligosaccharide per se. Thus, the conjugation of the oligosaccharides to the immunogenic carrier, preferably protein carrier, has an effect of stimulating the immune response against said oligosaccharide, without inducing an immune response against the said immunogenic carrier.

Hence, the present invention is directed to an oligosaccharide of general formula (I)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (I)

wherein

m is an integer selected from 0 and 1;

x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10;

-T- represents a bond, —(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2))_(m)— or —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1))_(m)—;

T*- represents H—, H—(U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)— or H—(U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—;

L represents a linker;

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The linker L preferably contains between 2 and 40 carbon atoms (including the carbon atoms of optional side chains), more preferably between 2 and 30, more preferably between 2 and 20, more preferably between 2 and 14, more preferably between 2 and 12, and still more preferably between 2 and 10 carbon atoms.

The shortest atom chain between the oxygen atom (i.e. the oxygen of —O-L-E) and the E-group consists preferably of 2 to 14 atoms, more preferably of 2 to 12 atoms, more preferably of 2 to 10 atoms, more preferably of 2 to 8 atoms. In case the shortest chain (which is the shortest possible connection between the oxygen at the anomeric center and the NH₂-group) consists of 2 to 6 atoms, these are preferably carbon atoms. In case the shortest chain consists of 4 to 8 atoms, the chain may contain 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S. In case the shortest chain consists of 9 to 14 atoms, the chain may contain 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S.

It is also preferred that the linker -L-, or the shortest chain is fully or partially fluorinated. The linker -L- may contain a 3-membered or a 4-membered or a 5-membered or a 6-membered saturated carbocycle or a 5-membered partly unsaturated (and not aromatic) carbocycle or a 4-membered or a 5-membered or a 6-membered saturated oxygen heterocycle or a 4-membered or a 5-membered or a 6-membered saturated nitrogen heterocycle or a 6-membered aromatic carbocycle.

The linker -L- may also contain amide (—NH—CO—, —CO—NH—) and/or urea (—NH—CO—NH—) residues and preferably only one amide or urea residue. The linker may also contain substituents and preferably two substituents such as R¹⁰ and R¹¹ or four substituents such as R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹⁵ and R¹⁴, which have the meanings as defined herein and which are preferably selected from: —F, —Cl, —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₅H₉, —C₆H₁₃, —OCH₃, —OC₂H₅, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CF₃, —C(O)—NH₂, —SCH₃, —SC₂H₅, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)₂, and —N(C₂H₅)₂.

In case the linker -L- is fluorinated, more than two substituents —F are preferred.

Preferably the linker -L- is selected from: —CH₂—, —(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₆—, —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₁₀—, —CF₂—, —(CF₂)₂—, —(CF₂)₃—, —(CF₂)₄—, —(CF₂)₅—, —(CF₂)₆—, —(CF₂)₇—, —(CF₂)₈—, —(CF₂)₉—, —(CF₂)₁₀—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₂—, —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₃—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₂—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄—, -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(d)-L^(c)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

wherein

-L^(a)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CF₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂—, —(CR¹⁰R¹¹)_(o)—.

-L^(b)- and -L^(c)- are independently of each other selected from: —O—, —NH—C(O)—NH—, —NH—C(S)—NH—, —NH—C(O)—, —C(O)—NH—, —NH—C(O)—O—, —NR⁹—, —NR¹⁸—, —SO₂—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—,

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CR¹²R¹³)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—,

-L^(e)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—, —(CR¹⁴R¹⁵)_(p1)—, —(CR¹⁴R¹⁵)_(p1)—O—(CR²¹R²²)_(p2)—,

R⁹ and R¹⁸ are independently of each other selected from: —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇ and —C(O)CH₃;

R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹ and R²² are independently of each other selected from: —H, —F, —Cl, —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₅H₉, —C₆H₁₃, —OCH₃, —OC₂H₅, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CF₃, —C(O)—NH₂, —SCH₃, —SC₂H₅, —NHC(O)CH₃, —N(CH₃)₂ and —N(C₂H₅)₂;

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

More preferred, -L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C2H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Most preferred, the oligosaccharide of the formula (I) has the group —O-L-E selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

X represents —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂H, or —SAc.

Thus, preferred are oligosaccharides of general formula (I)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (I)

wherein

m is an integer selected from 0 and 1;

x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8; more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, and 3; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1 and 2;

-T- represents a bond, —(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2))_(m)— or —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1))_(m)—;

T*- represents H—, H—(U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)— or H—(U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—;

L represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The anomers of oligosaccharides of the present invention mean the α/β-anomers at C-1-position to which the group —O-L-E is bounded. It is clear for the skilled person in the art of carbohydrate chemistry that the stereochemistry of the glycosidic bond is defined by the stereochemistry indicated for the anomeric center of the sugar fragments U₁, U₂, U₃, U₄, U₅, U₆, U₇, U₈, U₉, V₁, V₂, V₃, V₄, and V₅, in the general formula (I).

The oligosaccharides of the present invention can be hygroscopic and thus can build various hydrates thereof. Preferred, molar ratio of water molecule to the oligosaccharide is in the range of 1 to 20, more preferred, 1 to 10, most preferred, 5-10.

The oligosaccharides of the present invention may bear basic and/or acidic substituents and they may form salts with organic or inorganic acids or bases.

Examples of suitable acids for such acid addition salt formation are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, salicylic acid, p-aminosalicylic acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, maleic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, formic acid, propionic acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, hydroxymaleic acid, pyruvic acid, phenylacetic acid, benzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, nitrous acid, hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, ethylenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthylsulfonic acid, sulfanilic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, china acid, mandelic acid, o-methylmandelic acid, hydrogen-benzenesulfonic acid, picric acid, adipic acid, d-o-tolyltartaric acid, tartronic acid, (o, m, p)-toluic acid, naphthylamine sulfonic acid, and other mineral or carboxylic acids well known to those skilled in the art. The salts are prepared by contacting the free base form with a sufficient amount of the desired acid to produce a salt in the conventional manner.

Examples of suitable inorganic or organic bases are, for example, NaOH, KOH, NH₄OH, tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, lysine or arginine and the like. Salts may be prepared in a conventional manner using methods well known in the art, for example by treatment of a solution of the compound of the general formula (I) with a solution of a base, selected out of the group mentioned above.

It is clear for the skilled person in the art of carbohydrate chemistry that the oligosaccharides of general (I) are not containing —O—O— bonds and or sugar fragments

(U_(x), U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2)) connected or bound to each other via their anomeric or C-1 carbons.

Surprisingly, it was found that a oligosaccharide of general formula (I) contains an immunogenic protective epitope and is able to induce a protective immune response against K. pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria in a human and/or animal host. The oligosaccharide of general formula (I) elicits antibodies that are cross-reacting with the natural K. pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide, recognize specifically K. pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria and opsonize them for killing by phagocytes, thus conferring protection against K. pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria.

The oligosaccharides of the present invention overcome all the problems associated with the poly-, oligosaccharides produced from bacterial sources and conjugates thereof in terms of purity and easiness of production. It is well known that the isolation and purification of pure oligosaccharides of defined length and structure from the O-antigen of lipopolysaccharides of pathogenic bacteria is a tedious and sometimes not feasible process. Firstly, the production of the O-antigens of lipopolysaccharides requires optimization of the growth conditions. Secondly, depolymerization conditions under which the structural integrity of the constituting monosaccharides is maintained need to be found. Finally, purification conditions enabling the isolation of the pure poly-, oligosaccharide of defined length and structure need to be determined. Besides usual contaminants, such as cellular polysaccharides, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins, also the undesired oligosaccharides obtained through the depolymerization process, must be excluded. Thus, the production of pure oligosaccharides of defined structure and length from bacterial sources is a tedious, almost impossible process.

Preferred are synthetic oligosaccharides of general formula (II)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)—O-L-E  (II)

wherein m, n, x, L, E, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2) and T* have the meanings as defined herein.

Preferred are the general formulae (Ia) and (IIa),

T*-[(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (Ia)

T*-[(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))]_(n)-O-L-E  (IIa)

wherein

x is an integer selected from 1, 2 or 3;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8; more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, and 3; still more preferably n is an 3 integer selected from 1 and 2;

-T- represents a bond, —(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2))_(m)— or —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1))_(m)—;

T*- represents H—, H—(U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)— or H—(U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—;

L represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C2H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)-, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1) or (CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Also preferred are the general formulae (Ib) and (IIb),

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (IIb)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))]_(n)-O-L-E  (IIb)

wherein

x is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8; more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, and 3; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1 and 2;

-T- represents a bond, —(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2))_(m)— or —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1))_(m)—;

T*- represents H—, H—(U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)— or H—(U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—;

L represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C2H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)-, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1) or (CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Also preferred are oligosaccharides of general formula (Ic)

H—[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-O-L-E  (Ic)

wherein

m is an integer selected from 0 and 1;

x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8; more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1, 2, and 3; still more preferably n is an integer selected from 1 and 2;

L represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Thus, a oligosaccharide of general formula (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j) or (II-k) wherein n, L, E and T* have the meanings defined herein is especially preferred.

Also preferred are synthetic oligosaccharides of general formula (III)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)—(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)-O-L-E  (III)

wherein m, n, x, L, E, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2) and T* have the meanings as defined herein.

Thus, an oligosaccharide of general formula (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) and (III-k) wherein n, L, E and T* have the meanings defined herein is especially preferred.

wherein n, L and E have the meanings as defined herein.

Preferably, the integer x represents 1, Therefore, a compound of general formula (I), (II) or (III), wherein x represents 1 is especially preferred. Even more preferred is a compound of general formula (I), (II) or (III), wherein x represents 1 and T* represents H—. A compound of general formula (I), (II) or (III), wherein T* represents H— is also preferred.

Preferably, n represents an integer selected from 2 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8, more preferably from 1 to 6, still more preferably from 1 to 4, still more preferably from 1 to 3, still more preferably 1 or 2. Hence, an oligosaccharide of general formula (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein n represents an integer selected from 2 to 10 is especially preferred. In an alternative embodiment, the integer is preferably 1. Hence, an oligosaccharide of general formula (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein n represents 1 is also preferred.

Preferably the linker -L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Therefore, an oligosaccharide of any one of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein

-L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 and preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4 is especially preferred.

A oligosaccharide of any one of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein

-L- is selected from: -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, and -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, and —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— and —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—;

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; and n represents 1 is also preferred.

Even more preferred is a oligosaccharide of general formula (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (Ill-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein -L- represents —(CH₂)_(o)— and o is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Also preferred is a oligosaccharide of general (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein -L- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, o is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and n represents 1.

In a more preferred embodiment, —O-L-E is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

X represents —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂H, or —SAc.

Particularly preferred, -O-L-E is selected from the group consisting of:

Particularly preferred is a oligosaccharide of general formula (II-a), wherein T* represents —H and —O-L-E is selected from the group consisting of:

Particularly preferred is a oligosaccharide of general formula (II-f), wherein T* represents —H and —O-L-E is selected from the group consisting of:

Also preferred is a oligosaccharide of general formula (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein -L- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, o is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 E represents an amino group.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the oligosaccharide according to the present invention is selected from the group consisting of:

Chemical Synthesis

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I)

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (I)

wherein

m is 1;

x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3;

n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10;

-T- represents a bond;

T*- represents H;

L represents a linker;

E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc;

R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl);

comprising the following steps:

A1) providing a monosaccharide 1

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁴ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

A2) treating monosaccharide 1 with a building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a         leaving group;

A3) performing removal of protecting group P³;

A4) treating the product of step A3) with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

A5) performing removal of protecting group P⁶;

A6) repeating steps A4) and A5) two times to obtain intermediate compound 4a;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

A7) optionally repeating steps A2)-A6) in the following order A2)→A3)→A2)→A3)→A4)→A5)→A6) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5a,

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

A8) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

B1) providing a monosaccharide 1

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁴ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

B2) treating monosaccharide 1 with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

B3) performing removal of protecting group P⁶;

B4) repeating steps B2) and B3) two times;

B5) treating the product of step B4) with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a leaving group;

B6) performing removal of protecting group P³ to obtain intermediate compound 4b;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

B7) optionally repeating steps B2)-B6) in the following order B5)→B6)→B2)→B3)→B4)→B5)→B6) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5b

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

B8) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

C1) providing a monosaccharide 6

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

C2) treating monosaccharide 6 with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

C3) performing removal of protecting group P⁶;

C4) treating the product of step C3) with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a leaving group;

C5) performing removal of protecting group P³;

C6) repeating steps C4) and C5);

C7) repeating steps C2) and C3) to obtain intermediate compound 4d;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

C8) optionally repeating steps C2)-C7) in the following order C2)→C3)→C2)→C3)→C4)→C5)→C6)→C7) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5d

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

C9) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

D1) providing a monosaccharide 6

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

D2) treating monosaccharide 6 with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

D3) performing removal of protecting group P⁶;

D4) repeating steps D2) and D3);

D5) treating the product of step D4) with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a leaving group;

D6) performing removal of protecting group P³;

D7) repeating steps D5) and D6) to obtain intermediate compound 4c;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

D8) optionally repeating steps D2)-D7) in the following order D2)→D3)→D4)→D4)→D5)→D6)→D7) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5c,

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

D9) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

Another method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

E1) providing a monosaccharide 6

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

E2) treating monosaccharide 6 with a building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG represents a leaving group;

E3) performing removal of protecting group P³;

E4) repeating steps E2) and E3);

E5) treating the product of step E4) with building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

E6) performing removal of protecting group P⁶;

E7) repeating steps E5) and E6) to obtain intermediate compound 4e;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

E8) optionally repeating steps E2)-E6) in the following order E5)→E6)→E2)→E3)→E4)→E5)→E6) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5e,

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

E8) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain a oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

Another method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

F1) providing a monosaccharide 7

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸ and P⁹ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

F2) treating monosaccharide 7 with a building block 8 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷-P¹⁰ represent protecting groups and LG³ represents a         leaving group;

F3) performing removal of protecting group P¹⁰;

F4) treating the product of step F3) with building block 9 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸, P¹¹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and LG⁴         represents a leaving group;

F5) performing removal of protecting group P¹¹ to obtain intermediate compound 4f;

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

F6) optionally repeating steps F2)-F5) in the following order F2)→F3)→F2)→F4)→F5) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5f,

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

F7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

Another method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

G1) providing a monosaccharide 7

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸ and P⁹ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

G2) treating monosaccharide 7 with building block 9 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸, P¹¹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and LG⁴         represents a leaving group;

G3) performing removal of protecting group P¹¹;

G4) treating the product of step G3) with building block 8 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷-P¹⁰ represent protecting groups and LG³ represents a         leaving group;

G5) performing removal of protecting group P¹⁰ to obtain intermediate compound 4g;

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

G6) optionally repeating steps G2)-G5) in the following order G4)→G5)→G2)→G3)→G4)→G5) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5g,

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

G7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

Another method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

H1) providing a monosaccharide 10

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

H2) treating monosaccharide 10 with building block 8 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷-P¹⁰ represent protecting groups and LG³ represents a         leaving group;

H3) performing removal of protecting group P¹⁰;

H4) repeating steps H2) and H3) to obtain intermediate compound 4h;

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

H5) optionally treating compound 4h with building block 9 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P⁷, P⁸, P¹¹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and LG⁴         represents a leaving group, performing removal of protecting         group P¹¹, and performing steps H2)-H4) n−1 times to obtain         intermediate compound of formula 5h

-   -   wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

H6) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

I1) providing a monosaccharide 1

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁴ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

I2) treating monosaccharide 1 with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a         leaving group;

I3) performing removal of protecting group P³;

I4) treating the product of step I3) with building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

I5) performing removal of protecting group P⁶ to obtain intermediate compound 4i;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

I6) optionally repeating steps I2)-I5) in the following order I2)→I3)→I2)→I3)→I4)→I5) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5i

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

I7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

J1) providing a monosaccharide 1

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁴ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

J2) treating monosaccharide 1 with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group;

J3) performing removal of protecting group P⁶

J4) treating the product of step J3) with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a         leaving group;

J5) performing removal of protecting group P³ to obtain intermediate compound 4j;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

J6) optionally repeating steps J2)-J5) in the following order J4)→J5)→J2)→J3)→J4)→J5) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5j

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

J7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

A further method of the synthesis of an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprises the following steps:

K1) providing a monosaccharide 6

-   -   wherein P¹, P² and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

K2) treating monosaccharide 6 with building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a         leaving group;

K3) performing removal of protecting group P³;

K4) repeating steps K2) and K3) to obtain intermediate compound 4k;

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with E_(p) being a solid support or a         protected end group E, wherein E and L have the meanings as         defined herein;

K5) optionally treating compound 4k with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁵, and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG²         represents a leaving group, performing removal of protecting         group P⁶ and repeating steps K2)-K4) n−1 times to obtain         intermediate compound of formula 5k

-   -   wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C         represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected         end group E, wherein n, E and L have the meanings as defined         herein;

K7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).

E_(p) represents a solid support or a protected end group. E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —CONHNH₂, —SH, or —SAc; and the corresponding protected end group E_(p) represents —N(P¹³)(P¹⁴), —N₃, —CN, —O—N(P¹³)(P¹⁴), —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —CONHN(P¹³)(P¹⁴), —SP_(s), or —SAc

P¹, P², P³, P⁴, P⁵, P⁶, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹⁰, P¹¹, P¹², P¹³ and P¹⁴ represent protecting groups. The term “protecting group” as used herein refers to commonly used groups in organic synthesis, preferably used for protection hydroxyl groups, and thiols. More preferably, P¹, P², P³, P⁴, P⁵, P⁶, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹⁰, P¹¹ and P¹² are suitable protecting groups for hydroxyl groups, more preferably different suitable protecting groups for hydroxyl groups capable of being removed subsequently one after another by a suitable sequence of deprotection reactions. Preferred protecting groups for hydroxyl groups are acetyl, phenyl, benzyl, isopropylidene, benzylidene, benzoyl, p-methoxybenzyl, p-methoxybenzylidene, p-methoxyphenyl, p-bromobenzyledene, p-nitrophenyl, allyl, acetyl, isopropyl, p-bromobenzyl, dimethoxytrityl, trityl, 2-naphthylmethyl, pivaloyl, (2-nitrophenyl)acetyl, triisopropylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, tert-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl, triethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, 2-trimethylsilylethoxymethyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, benzyloxymethyl, methyloxymethyl, tert-butyloxymethyl, methoxyethyloxymethyl, levulinoyl.

The protecting groups can be differentiated in permanent protecting groups and temporary protecting groups. Permanent protecting groups are protecting groups that are stable during the entire synthesis and that can be efficiently removed at the late stage of the synthesis. In this case, permanent protecting groups include P¹, P², P⁴ P⁵, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹², P¹³ and P¹⁴. P¹, P², P⁴ P⁵, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹ and P¹² are masking the hydroxyl groups during the entire synthesis, while protecting groups P¹³ and P¹⁴ are masking the terminal amino group present in the end group E_(p). Preferably protecting groups P¹, P², P⁵, P⁷, P⁸ and P⁹ are benzyl groups, protecting group P⁴ is a benzoyl group, protecting group P¹² is a benzyl group, protecting group P¹³ is a benzyl group and protecting group P¹⁴ is a benzyloxycarbonyl group (Cbz).

The temporary protecting groups are generally orthogonal protecting groups that can be selectively removed at different levels of the synthesis to free hydroxyl groups for subsequent introduction of different substituents, including monooligosaccharides, other protecting groups or other residues present on the molecule. In this case, temporary protecting groups include P³, P⁶, P¹⁰ and P¹¹.

The ingenious choice of protecting groups allows expedient access to a library of oligosaccharides of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k) functionalized with a terminal group for subsequent conjugation to an immunogenic carrier or a solid support. Moreover, the choice of leaving groups affects the stereochemical outcome of the glycosylation reactions in steps A2), A4), B2), B5), C2), C4), D2), D5), E2), E5), F2), F4), H2), H5), J2), J4), I2), I4), K2) and K5). From the prior art it is apparent for a skilled person to choose the protecting group and reaction conditions in order to obtain the desired mannose oligosaccharides of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-J), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k) (see J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 2000, 1471-1491 and Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2009, 870-888).

Temporary protecting groups P³, P⁶, P¹⁰ and P¹¹ are preferably selected from, but are not restricted to: allyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 2-naphthylmethyl, tri-isopropylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl, triethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, 2-trimethylsilylethoxymethyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl and levulinoyl. Preferably, protecting groups P³, P⁶, P¹⁰ and P¹¹ can be selectively removed in presence of protecting groups P¹, P², P⁴ P⁵, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹², P¹³ and P¹⁴. Preferably, P³, P⁶, P¹⁰ and P¹¹ are 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl or levulinoyl, and more preferably P³ and P¹¹ are the same and P⁶ and P¹⁰ are the same. In a preferred embodiment, protecting groups P⁶ and P¹⁰ represent 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl and protecting groups P³ and P¹¹ represent -fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl or levulinoyl.

Building blocks 2, 3, 8 and 9 are glycosylating agents. As used herein, the term glycosylating agent refers to a monosaccharide functionalized at the anomeric position with a leaving group that upon activation with a suitable activating agent provide an oxocarbenium intermediate able to react with a nucleophile, such as a hydroxyl group. Hence, glycosylating agents 2, 3, 8 and 9 are functionalized at the anomeric position with leaving groups LG¹, LG², LG³ and LG⁴. Examples of leaving groups suitable for the present synthesis are well known to the person skilled in carbohydrate chemistry and include halides, thioethers, imidates, acetate, sulfoxide, pentenyl, and phosphate.

Preferably, leaving groups LG¹, LG², LG³ and LG⁴ are selected from the group of leaving groups consisting of:

As mentioned, the provision of an oxocarbenium intermediate relies on the activation of the leaving group installed at the anomeric position of the glycosylating agent with an appropriate or suitable activating agent. It is common knowledge for the skilled person that suitable activating agents for phosphate (i.e. phosphate activating agents) and imidate (i.e. imidate activating agents) are Lewis acids, such as silyl triflate or silver triflate, while suitable activating agents for thioether i.e. thioether activating agents include, but are not restricted to: NIS/TfOH, NIS/TMSOTf, NIS/BF₃.Et₂O, NIS/AgOTf, DMTST/Tf₂O, IDPC, BSP/Tf₂O, Ph₂SO/Tf₂O. Examples of silyl triflate include, but are not restricted to trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, tert-butyl dimethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, triiospropyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

Preferably, LG¹, LG², LG³ and LG⁴ are thioethers and even more preferred is when LG¹, LG², LG³ and LG⁴ are selected from the group consisting of:

It is preferred that the coupling reaction between oligosaccharides in the steps A2), A4), B2), B5), C2), C4), D2), D5), E2), E5), F2), F4), G2), G4), H2), H5), J2), J4), I2), I4), K2) and K5) is performed by activation with NIS/TfOH or TMSOTf, in a mixture of apolar solvent and polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of between −78° C. or −50° C. to 0° C. or between −10° C. and +10° C. Even more preferred is that said reaction is performed in a mixture of apolar solvent and polar aprotic solvent, by treatment with NIS/TfOH at a temperature of about 0° C.

Preferred polar aprotic solvents are tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether and dioxane. Preferred apolar solvents are toluene, halogenated solvents such as chloroform and methylene chloride. Preferred mixtures of apolar and polar aprotic solvent are: methylene chloride/tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride/diethyl ether, toluene/diethyl ether, toluene/tetrahydrofuran.

The removal of protecting groups P¹, P², P⁴ P⁵, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹², P¹³ and P¹⁴ performed at steps A8), B8), C9), D9), E8), F7), F4), G7), H8), I7), J7) and K7) involves:

-   -   first cleavage of the base-labile protecting groups by treatment         with a base optionally in presence of hydrogen peroxide in a         mixture of solvents. Preferably, the base is NaOMe or LiOH; and     -   second cleavage of the protecting groups sensitive to         hydrogenation by subjecting the compound to hydrogen in presence         of a palladium catalyst in a mixture of solvents.

A further aspect according to the present invention refers to an intermediate compound for preparing a oligosaccharide of the general formulae (I), (II), (II-a), (II-b), (II-c), (II-d), (II-e), (II-f), (II-g), (II-h), (II-i), (II-j), (II-k), (III), (III-a), (III-b), (III-c), (III-d), (III-e), (III-f), (III-g), (III-h), (III-i), (III-j) or (III-k), wherein the intermediate compound has any one of general formulae (I2a), (I2b), (I2c), (I2d), (I2e), (I2f), (I2g), (I2h), (I3a), (I3b), (I3c), (I3d), (I3e), (I3f), (I3g), (I3h), (I3i), (I3j), (I3k), (I3l), (I3m), (I3n), (I4a), (I4b), (I4c), (I4d), (I4e), (I4f), (I4g), (I4h), (I4i), (I4j), (I5a), (I5b), (I5c), (I5d), (I5e), (I5f), (I5g), (I5h), (I5i) or (I5j):

wherein C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, P¹, P², P³, P⁴, P⁵, P⁶, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹⁰, P¹¹ and P¹² represent protecting groups, and E and L have the same meanings as defined above.

In formulae (I2a), (I2b), (I2c), (I2d), (I2e), (I2f), (I2g), (I2h), (I3a), (I3b), (I3c), (I3d), (I3e), (I3f), (I3g), (I3h), (I3i), (I3j), (I3k), (I3l), (I3m), (I3n), (I4a), (I4b), (I4c), (I4d), (I4e), (I4f), (I4g), (I4h), (I4i), (I4j), (I5a), (I5b), (I5c), (I5d), (I5e), (I5f), (I5g), (I5h), (I5i) or (I5j), preferably the linker-L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

An especially preferred intermediate is an intermediate of formula (I2a), (I2b), (I2c), (I2d), (I2e), (I2f), (I2g), (I2h), (I3a), (I3b), (I3c), (I3d), (I3e), (I3f), (I3g), (I3h), (I3i), (I3j), (I3k), (I3l), (I3m), (I3n), (I4a), (I4b), (I4c), (I4d), (I4e), (I4f), (I4g), (I4h), (I4i), (I4j), (I5a), (I5b), (I5c), (I5d), (I5e), (I5f), (I5g), (I5h), (I5i) or (I5j), wherein -L-represents —(CH₂)_(o)— and o is an integer selected from 2, 5 and 6.

P¹, P², P³, P⁴, P⁵, P⁶, P⁷, P⁸, P⁹, P¹⁰, P¹¹ and P¹² are suitable protecting groups for hydroxyl groups, more preferably different suitable protecting groups for hydroxyl groups capable of being removed subsequently one after another by a suitable sequence of deprotection reactions. Preferred protecting groups for hydroxyl groups are acetyl, phenyl, benzyl, isopropylidene, benzylidene, benzoyl, p-methoxybenzyl, p-methoxybenzylidene, p-methoxyphenyl, p-bromobenzyledene, p-nitrophenyl, allyl, acetyl, isopropyl, p-bromobenzyl, dimethoxytrityl, trityl, 2-naphthylmethyl, pivaloyl, (2-nitrophenyl)acetyl, triisopropylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, tert-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl, triethylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, 2-trimethylsilylethoxymethyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, benzyloxymethyl, methyloxymethyl, tert-butyloxymethyl, methoxyethyloxymethyl, levulinoyl.

Thus, intermediates (I2a), (I2b), (I2c), (I2d), (I2e), (I2f), (I2g), (I2h), (I3a), (I3b), (I3c), (I3d), (I3e), (I3f), (I3g), (I3h), (I3i), (I3j), (I3k), (I3l), (I3m), (I3n), (I4a), (I4b), (I4c), (I4d), (I4e), (I4f), (I4g), (I4h), (I4i), (I4j), (I5a), (I5b), (I5c), (I5d), (I5e), (I5f), (I5g), (I5h), (I5i) or (I5j), are especially preferred when protecting groups P¹, P², P⁵, P⁷, P⁸ and P⁹ are benzyl groups, protecting group, P³, P⁶, P¹⁰ and P¹¹ are 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl or levulinoyl groups, P⁴ and P¹² are benzoyl groups, protecting group P¹³ is a benzyl group and protecting group P¹⁴ is a benzyloxycarbonyl group (Cbz).

Glycoconjugates

Another aspect of the present invention refers to a conjugate comprising an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) covalently bound or covalently linked to an immunogenic carrier through the terminal group E of the —O-L-E group. In other words, another aspect of the present invention is directed to an oligosaccharide of any of the general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) conjugated with an immunogenic carrier through the terminal group E of the —O-L-E group. A conjugate comprising a synthetic oligosaccharide of the general formula (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k), covalently bound or covalently linked to an immunogenic carrier through the terminal group E of the —O-L-E group is also defined as a conjugate obtained by reacting an oligosaccharide of any of the general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) with an immunogenic carrier. Surprisingly, said conjugate proved to be efficient as a vaccine for immunization against diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria.

Oligosaccharides are known by the person skilled in the art as generally TI-2 (T cell independent-2) antigens and poor immunogens. TI-2 antigens are antigens, which are recognized only by mature B cells through the cross linking of surface exposed immunoglobulin receptors. Without T cell help, no immunological memory is generated and neither isotype switching from IgM to other IgG subclasses, nor B cells affinity maturation occurs. Moreover, oligosaccharides are known poor immunogens in humans due to the structural homology to human glycolipids and glycoproteins. Due to their poor immunogenic properties, oligosaccharides manifest poor ability to produce both antibody production by B cells, as well as the formation of memory cells, features which are essential for the production of potent vaccines.

Therefore, to produce a potent oligosaccharide-based vaccine, the oligosaccharides of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) are conjugated to an immunogenic carrier to provide conjugates, which present increased immunogenicity in comparison with the oligosaccharide. Hence, under the scope of the present application is covered also a conjugate comprising a oligosaccharide fragment

T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-T-O—

wherein m, n, x, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2), T and T* have the meanings defined herein, covalently linked through the O atom to an immunogenic carrier.

Said conjugate comprises at least one synthetic oligosaccharide of the general formula (I) and an immunogenic carrier to which the at least one oligosaccharide (I) is covalently bound.

Surprisingly it was found that immunization with a conjugate comprising a oligosaccharide of general formula (I) covalently linked to an immunogenic carrier results in the production of high titers of antibodies specific to the carbohydrate part of the oligosaccharide of general formula (I). Said antibodies are cross-reacting with the natural Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 lipopolyoligosaccharides and present opsonophagocytosis and bactericidal activity, thus conferring protection against Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria.

In this context the term “immunogenic carrier” is defined as a structure, which is conjugated to the oligosaccharide to form a conjugate that presents an increased immunogenicity in comparison with the oligosaccharide per se. Thus, the conjugation of the oligosaccharides of the general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) to the immunogenic carrier has as effect the stimulation of the immune response against the oligosaccharide of general formula (I) without inducing an immune response against said immunogenic carrier.

Preferred immunogenic carriers are carrier proteins or glycosphingolipids with immunomodulatory properties. For the person skilled in the art, a carrier protein is a protein selected from the group comprising or consisting of: a diphtheria toxoid, a mutated diphtheria toxoid, a modified diphtheria toxoid, a mutated and modified diphtheria toxoid, a tetanus toxoid, a modified tetanus toxoid, a mutated tetanus toxoid, non-lipidated cell-surface liporotein (protein D) of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, outer membrane protein (OMP) complex of Neisseria meningitidis, bovine serum albumin (BSA), keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH), recombinant non-toxic form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (rEPA) or cholera toxoid (CT). The term “toxoid” as used herein refers to a bacterial toxin (usually an exotoxin), whose toxicity has been inactivated or suppressed either by chemical (formalin) or heat treatment, while other properties, typically immunogenicity, are maintained. A mutated toxoid as used herein is a recombinant bacterial toxin, which has been amended to be less toxic or even non-toxic by amending the wild-type amino acid sequence. Such a mutation could be a substitution of one or more amino acids. Such a mutated toxoid presents on its surface a functionality that can react with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule to provide a modified toxoid. Said functionality is known to the person skilled in the art and includes, but is not restricted to the primary amino functionality of a lysine residue that can react with activated esters, an isocyanate group or an aldehyde in presence of a reducing agent, to the carboxylate functionality of a glutamate or aspartate residue that can be activated by carbodiimides or to the thiol functionality of a cysteine residue.

Activated esters include N-(γ-maleimidobutyryloxy) sulfosuccinimide ester (sulfo-GMBS), succinimidyl (4-iodoacetyl) aminobenzoate (sulfo-SIAB), succinimidyl-3-(bromoacetamido)propionate (SBAP), disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG), disuccinimidyl adipate (DSA), 2-pyridyldithiol-tetraoxatetradecane-N-hydroxysuccinimide (PEG-4-SPDP) (see FIG. 2).

The cysteine residue on the carrier protein can be converted to the corresponding dehydroalanine that can be further reacted with a suitable interconnecting molecule to provide modified carrier protein having on their surface the functional group X of the interconnecting molecule.

It is especially preferred that the oligosaccharides of general formula I are conjugated to the non-toxic mutated diphtheria toxin CRM₁₉₇ presenting as a functionality a primary amine functionality of a lysine residue.

CRM₁₉₇ like wild-type diphtheria toxin is a single polypeptide chain of 535 amino acids (58 kD) consisting of two subunits linked by disulfide bridges having a single amino acid substitution of glutamic acid for glycine. It is utilized as a carrier protein in a number of approved conjugate vaccines for diseases such as Prevnar.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the carrier protein presents on its surface primary amino functionalities of lysine residues that are able to react with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule to provide modified carrier protein having on their surface said functional group X of the interconnecting molecule, which is able to react with the terminal amino group of the linker of the compounds of general formula (I).

Said functional group X of the interconnecting molecules is selected of the group comprising or consisting of maleimide; α-iodoacetyl; α-bromoacetyl; and N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS), aldehyde, imidoester, carboxylic acid, alkyl sulfonate, sulfonyl chloride, epoxide, anhydride, carbonate (see FIG. 3).

Preferably, the oligosaccharide of general formula I is conjugated to the non-toxic mutated diphtheria toxin CRM₁₉₇, which is modified by maleimide. In yet another preferred embodiment, the oligosaccharide of general formula I is conjugated to the non-toxic mutated diphtheria toxin CRM₁₉₇, which is modified by α-bromoacetamide. In the most preferred embodiment, the oligosaccharide of general formula I is conjugated to the non-toxic mutated diphtheria toxin CRM₁₉₇, which is modified by N-hydroxysuccinimide adipate.

Preferred is a conjugate of general formula (IV)

[T*-((—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m))_(n)-T-O-L-E₁-W]_(c)-CP  (IV)

wherein

c is comprised between 2 and 18;

-E₁- represents a covalent bond, —NH—, —O—NH—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CH═CH—, —CONH—, —CO—NHNH—,

—W— is selected from:

a represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10,

b represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3 and 4,

CP is a carrier protein; and

m, n, x, L, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2), T and T* have the meanings as defined herein.

Preferably E₁ is a covalent bond, —NH—, —CH═CH—, —CONH—,

Preferably CP is CRM₁₉₇. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention the conjugate is of general formula (IV), wherein CP is CRM₁₉₇ and c, -E₁-, W, m, n, x, L, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2), T and T* have the meanings as defined herein.

Preferably, in general formula (IV) the linker -L- is selected from: -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, and -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, and —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— and —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—;

and o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Also a conjugate of general formula (IV), wherein —W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is preferred.

A conjugate of general formula (IV), wherein

the linker -L- is selected from: -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, and -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, and —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— and —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—;

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4;

—W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is especially preferred.

Even more preferred is a conjugate of general formula (IV), wherein

x represents 1,

V*- represents H—,

the linker -L- is selected from: -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, and -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, and —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- is selected from: —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— and —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—;

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4;

—W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Particularly preferred is a conjugate of general formula (IV), wherein the linker -L-represents —(CH₂)_(o)—,

o is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6;

—W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Also preferred is a conjugate of general formula (IV), wherein x represents 1,

V*- represents H—,

the linker -L- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—,

o is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6;

—W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Preferably c is comprised between 2 and 18, more preferably between 5 and 15, even more preferably between 8 and 12. It is also preferred that n represents 1.

Preferred is also a conjugate of general formula (V)

[H—((—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m))_(n)—O-L-E₁-W]_(c)-CRM₁₉₇  (V)

wherein

c is comprised between 2 and 18;

-E₁- represents a covalent bond, —NH—, —O—NH—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CH═CH—, —CONH—, —CO—NHNH—,

—W— is selected from:

a represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10,

b represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3 and 4; and

m, n, x, L, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1) and V_(x+2) have the meanings as defined herein.

In another embodiment, said immunogenic carrier is preferably a glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties, and more preferably (2S,3S,4R)-1-(α-D-galactopyranosyl)-2-hexacosanoylaminooctadecane-3,4-diol. The term glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties, as used herein, refers to a suitable glycosphingolipid capable of stimulating the immune system's response to a target antigen, but which does not in itself confer immunity as defined above.

Glycosphingolipids as used herein are compounds containing a carbohydrate moiety α-linked to a sphingolipid. Preferably, the carbohydrate moiety is a hexopyranose and most preferably is α-D-galactopyranose. For the person skilled in the art, sphingolipids are a class of lipids containing a C18 amino alcohol connected via an amide bond to a fatty acid. The C18 amino alcohol is preferably mono-, di- or polysubstituted with hydroxyl groups. Especially preferred, the C18 amino alcohol is phytosphingosine. The fatty acid is preferably a monocarboxylic acid having a saturated alkyl chain of a number of carbons ranging from 16 to 28 and more preferably from 18 to 26. Glycosphingolipids with immunomodulatory properties include, but they are not restricted to (2S,3S,4R)-1-(α-D-galactopyranosyl)-2-hexacosanoylaminooctadecane-3,4-diol, which can stimulate natural killer (NK) activity and cytokine production by natural killer T (NKT) cells and exhibits potent antitumor activity in vivo (Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 1998, 95, 5690).

The conjugates of the oligosaccharides of general formula I with a glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties have the advantage of being heat stable. To be suitable for conjugation, on the glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties a functionality is introduced. Said functionality is prone to react directly with the terminal amino group of the linker of the oligosaccharides of general formula I to provide conjugates of the oligosaccharides of general formula I, or with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule to provide the modified glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties.

Preferably, said functionality is introduced at the C6 of the carbohydrate moiety of the glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties. Thus, the glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties is functionalized with a functionality, which is prone of reacting with the terminal amino group of the oligosaccharides or with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule. A functionality prone to react with an amino group includes, but it is not restricted to activated ester, isocyanate group, aldehyde, epoxide, imidoester, carboxylic acid, alkyl sulfonate and sulfonyl chloride.

A functionality prone to react with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule so that to provide the modified glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties presenting the functional group X of the interconnecting molecule includes, but it is not restricted to amine, alcohol, thiol, activated ester, isocyanate group, aldehyde, epoxide, vinyl, imidoester, carboxylic acid, alkyl sulfonate, sulfonyl chloride, vinyl group, alkynyl group and azido group.

Preferably, the functionality introduced at the C6 of the carbohydrate moiety of the glycosphingolipid with immunomodulatory properties is selected from the group comprising or containing an amine, a thiol, an alcohol, a carboxylic acid, a vinyl, maleimide, α-iodoacetyl, α-bromoacetyl, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS), 2-pyridyldithiols.

Said functional group X of the interconnecting molecules is selected of the group comprising or consisting of maleimide, α-iodoacetyl, α-bromoacetyl, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS), aldehyde, carboxylic acid, epoxide, alkyl sulfonate, sulfonyl chloride, anhydride, carbonate.

As used herein, the term “interconnecting molecule” refers to a bifunctional molecule containing functional group X and functional group Y, wherein functional group X is capable of reacting with the terminal amino group on the linker -L- and the functional group Y is capable of reacting with a functionality present on the immunogenic carrier or on the solid support.

Vaccines containing at least one conjugate of the present invention cause fewer side effects and/or non-protective immune responses in comparison to vaccines containing isolated (and not synthesized) mixtures of oligosaccharides obtained by non-selective cleavage of the capsular poly-,oligosaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae or conjugates thereof. Moreover the inventive vaccines can be easier manufactured in accordance with the GMP regulations than the vaccines containing isolated mixtures of non-selectively cleaved capsular poly-,oligosaccharides and are easier characterized, which makes stability and purity control easier as well as detection of kind and amount of impurities.

More preferred is a conjugate of any one of the formulae (V-1)-(V-11):

wherein L, E₁, W, c, and n have the same meanings as defined above.

More preferred is a conjugate of any one of the formulae (IV), (V) and (V-1)-(V-11), wherein n is an integer from 2 to 10.

More preferred the conjugate of any one of the formulae (IV), (V) and (V-1)-(V-11), wherein c is selected from 4 to 10.

Preferably —W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Thus, a conjugate of general formula (IV), (V) and (V-1)-(V-11), wherein —W— represents

and a is an integer selected from 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is especially preferred.

Preferably, the linker -L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)-L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)-L^(d)-L^(e)-;

-L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂;

-L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—;

-L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—;

-L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and

o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; preferably an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4.

In the most preferred embodiment, E₁ is a covalent bond, —NH—, —CH═CH—, —CONH—,

It was found that a conjugate comprising a oligosaccharide of any one of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k), and particularly a conjugate of any one of general formulae (IV), (V) and (V-1)-(V-11), elicits a protective immune response in a human and/or animal host, and therefore is useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 bacteria. Thus, the conjugates comprising the oligosaccharides of general formula (I) conjugated to an immunogenic carrier are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria containing in their lipopolysaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments:

-   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1,     3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-.

Preferably, the bacterium containing in the lipopolysaccharide one of the above mentioned oligosaccharide fragments is Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5.

In a preferred embodiment, the conjugates comprising the oligosaccharides of general formula I conjugated to an immunogenic carrier are useful for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with bacteria, and particularly with diseases associated with bacteria containing in their O-polysaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments: -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-, and preferably with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5, wherein said diseases include pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, urinary tract infection, wound infection, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, septicemia and ankylosing spondylitis.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition or a vaccine comprising at least one conjugate that comprises an oligosaccharide of general formula (I) conjugated to an immunogenic carrier and/or at least one oligosaccharide of general formula (I) together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant and/or excipient. Said pharmaceutical composition can be used for raising a protective immune response in a human and/or animal host. Ideally, the pharmaceutical composition is suitable for use in humans.

In another aspect of the present invention, said pharmaceutical composition or vaccine further comprises at least one of capsular polysaccharides, O-polysaccharides and/or capsular polysaccharides, O-polysaccharide fragments and/or protein conjugates thereof of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria selected from the group comprising or consisting of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotypes O1, O2 (O2a, O2ac, . . . ), O4, O7, O8, O12 and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 Galactan-III.

The term “adjuvant” as used herein refers to an immunological adjuvant i.e. a material used in a vaccine composition that modifies or augments the effects of said vaccine by enhancing the immune response to a given antigen contained in the vaccine without being antigenically related to it. For the persons skilled in the art, classically recognized examples of immunological adjuvants include, but are not restricted to oil emulsions (e.g. Freund's adjuvant), saponins, aluminum or calcium salts (e.g. alum), non-ionic block polymer surfactants, and many others.

Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably in aqueous form, particularly at the point of administration, but they can also be presented in non-aqueous liquid forms or in dried forms e.g. as gelatin capsules, or as lyophilisates, etc.

Pharmaceutical compositions may include one or more preservatives, such as thiomersal or 2-phenoxyethanol. Mercury-free compositions are preferred, and preservative-free vaccines can be prepared.

Pharmaceutical compositions may include a physiological salt, such as a sodium salt e.g. to control tonicity. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is typical and may be present at between 1 and 20 mg/ml. Other salts that may be present include potassium chloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium phosphate dehydrate, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, etc.

Pharmaceutical compositions can have an osmolality of between 200 mOsm/kg and 400 mOsm/kg.

Pharmaceutical compositions may include compounds (with or without an insoluble metal salt) in plain water (e.g. w.f.i.), but will usually include one or more buffers. Typical buffers include: a phosphate buffer; a Tris buffer; a borate buffer; a succinate buffer; a histidine buffer (particularly with an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant); or a citrate buffer. Buffer salts will typically be included in the 5-20 mM range.

Pharmaceutical compositions typically have a pH between 5.0 and 9.5 e.g. between 6.0 and 8.0.

Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably sterile and gluten free.

Pharmaceutical compositions are suitable for administration to animal (and, in particular, human) patients, and thus include both human and veterinary uses. They may be used in a method of raising an immune response in a patient, comprising the step of administering the composition to the patient.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered before a subject is exposed to a Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 and/or after a subject is exposed to a Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5.

In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention is directed to the use of at least one conjugate that comprises at least one oligosaccharide of general formula (I) conjugated to an immunogenic carrier and/or at least one oligosaccharide of general formula (I) for the manufacture of said pharmaceutical composition or said vaccine for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b or 05 bacteria, particularly, diseases associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b or O5 bacteria is selected from the group comprising or consisting of pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, urinary tract infection, wound infection, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, septicemia and ankylosing spondylitis.

Preferred, the present invention refers to the use of at least one oligosaccharide of any one of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) and/or at least one of the conjugates comprising at least one oligosaccharide of any one of general formulae (I), (II), (II-a)-(II-k), (III), (III-a)-(III-j) or (III-k) for the manufacture of said pharmaceutical composition or said vaccine.

More preferred, the present invention refers to the use of at least one of the oligosaccharides I′a-1-I′a-11, I′a-1-I′b-11, I′b-1-I′c-11, I′c-1-I′c-11, I′d-1-I′d-11, I′e-1-I′e-11 and I′f-1-I′f-11 and/or at least one of the conjugates comprising at least one of the oligosaccharides I′a-1-I′a-11, I′a-1-I′b-11, I′b-1-I′c-11, I′c-1-I′c-11, I′d-1-I′d-11, I′e-1-I′e-11 and I′f-1-I′f-11 for the manufacture of said pharmaceutical composition or said vaccine.

Particularly, the present invention refers to the use of at least one conjugate of any one of general formulae (IV), (V) and (V-1)-(V-11) for the manufacture of said pharmaceutical composition or said vaccine.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared in unit dose form. Preferably, the dose of the inventive conjugate is between 0.1 and 10 μg, preferably 1 and 10 μg, preferably 0.2 and 9 μg, more preferably 0.5 and 9 μg, preferably 1 and 6 μg, and most preferably 1 and 5 μg. In some embodiments a unit dose may have a volume of between 0.1-1.0 mL e.g. about 0.5 mL.

The invention also provides a delivery device (e.g. syringe, nebuliser, sprayer, inhaler, dermal patch, etc.) containing a pharmaceutical composition of the invention e.g. containing a unit dose. This device can be used to administer the composition to a vertebrate subject.

The invention also provides a sterile container (e.g. a vial) containing a pharmaceutical composition of the invention e.g. containing a unit dose.

The invention also provides a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

The invention also provides a hermetically sealed container containing a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Suitable containers include e.g. a vial.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be prepared in various forms. For example, the compositions may be prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions. Solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid vehicles prior to injection can also be prepared (e.g. a lyophilised composition or a spray-freeze dried composition). The composition may be prepared for topical administration e.g. as an ointment, cream or powder. The composition may be prepared for oral administration e.g. as a tablet or capsule, as a spray, or as a syrup (optionally flavoured). The composition may be prepared for pulmonary administration e.g. by an inhaler, using a fine powder or a spray. The composition may be prepared as a suppository. The composition may be prepared for nasal, aural or ocular administration e.g. as a spray or drops. Injectables for intramuscular administration are typical.

The pharmaceutical compositions may comprise an effective amount of an adjuvant i.e. an amount which, when administered to an individual, either in a single dose or as part of a series, is effective for enhancing the immune response to a co-administered Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 antigen.

This amount can vary depending upon the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, age, the taxonomic group of individual to be treated (e.g. non-human primate, primate, etc.), the capacity of the individual's immune system to synthesize antibodies, the degree of protection desired, the formulation of the vaccine, the treating doctor's assessment of the medical situation, and other relevant factors. The amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine trials.

Techniques for the formulation and administration of the vaccine of the present invention may be found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” Mack Publishing Co., Easton Pa.

A therapeutically effective dosage of one conjugate according to the present invention or of one oligosaccharide of general formula (I) refers to that amount of the compound that results in an at least a partial immunization against a disease. Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical, pharmacological, and toxicological procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals. The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effect is the therapeutic index. The actual amount of the composition administered will be dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's weight, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of inducing immune response against Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5 in a human and/or animal host, said method comprising administering of the oligosaccharide of general formula (I) and/or salt thereof and/or a conjugate thereof or pharmaceutical composition thereof to said human and/or animal host. A method of treating or preventing diseases caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5, in a human and/or animal host according to the present invention comprises administering of at least one oligosaccharide of general formula (I) and/or salt thereof and/or a conjugate thereof or pharmaceutical composition thereof to said human and/or animal host.

Immunological Assays

Yet another aspect of the present invention refers to oligosaccharide of general formula (I) for use as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against bacteria containing in their O-poly-,oligosaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments:

-   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1,     3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1,     2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -   -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -   -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-.

Such assays comprise, for instance, microarray and ELISA useful for detection of antibodies against bacteria containing in their O-poly-,oligosaccharide one of the above mentioned oligosaccharide fragments, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5.

The O-antigens of K. pneumoniae O3, O3b and O5 are shared respectively by E. coli O9, and O8. The O5-antigen is shared by Burkholderia cepacia O2 and E, and Serratia marcescens O28. Therefore, O-poly-,oligosaccharide one of the above mentioned oligosaccharide fragments can be used for detection of antibodies against E. coli O8, and O9. Burkholderia cepacia O2 and E and Serratia marcescens O28.

The oligosaccharides of the present invention can be easily conjugated to solid supports for providing immunological assays useful for detection of antibodies against Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and/or O5. Said solid supports present on their surface a functionality that is prone to react with the amino group of oligosaccharides of general formula (I) or with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule to provide modified solid supports, presenting on their surface the functional group X of the interconnecting molecule that can further react with the amino group of oligosaccharides of general formula (I). In an embodiment according to the present invention the solid supports are microarray slides, which present on their surface a functionality that is prone to react with the functional group Y of the interconnecting molecule to provide modified microarray slides, presenting of their surface the functional group X of the interconnecting molecule. Examples of such microarray slides include, but are not restricted to Corning® epoxide coated slides or Corning® GAPS™ II coated slides.

In a preferred embodiment the solid supports are microarray slides presenting on their surface a functionality that is prone to react with the amino group of oligosaccharides of general formula (I), and more preferably an N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) activated ester. Such microarray slides are for example CodeLink® NHS slides.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the chemical structure of the repeating unit of Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype O3, O3b and O5 LPS O-polysaccharide.

FIG. 2 provides examples of functional group X of the interconnecting molecule according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides examples of functional group X of the interconnecting molecule according to the present invention.

FIG. 4(A) shows a CRM₁₉₇ conjugate of the present invention; (B) structure of 21*-CRM₁₉₇; and (C) 69*-CRM₁₉₇.

FIG. 5(A) shows SDS-PAGE of glycoconjugates (2.5 μg/well) 21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇ used in immunization experiments resolved using a 10% polyacrylamide gel; (B) SEC Chromatograms of KPC glycoconjugates 21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇.

FIG. 6 shows ELISA titers of Day-0 and Day-35 pooled sera from mice (n=6) immunized with 21*-CRM₁₉₇ or 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation. Sera of 21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulations were tested against corresponding O-antigen BSA conjugates 21*-BSA and 69*-BSA. In both cases, sera were diluted 1:100, 1000 and 10,000 with 1% BSA-PBS. Diluted sera (100 μL) were added per well of the microtiter plate which was coated with 0.5 μg of the corresponding BSA conjugate. Detection was done using a HRP conjugated goat anti-mouse secondary antibody diluted to 1:10000 and developed using the TMB substrate. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm and the data were plotted using the GraphPad prism software.

FIG. 7 shows cross-reactivity of Day-0 and Day-35 pooled sera from mice (n=6) immunized with 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation. Sera of 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation were tested against LPS isolated from the corresponding strain, i.e. LPS (O5). The sera were diluted 1:200 with 1% BSA-PBS. Diluted sera (100 μL) was added per well of the microtiter plate which was coated with 1.0 μg of the corresponding LPS. Detection was done using a HRP conjugated goat anti-mouse secondary antibody diluted to 1:10000 and developed using the TMB substrate. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm and the data were plotted using the GraphPad prism software.

FIG. 8 shows ELISA titers of Day-0 Day-7, Day-21, and Day-35 pooled sera from rabbits (n=4) immunized with 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation. Sera of 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation were tested against corresponding O-antigen BSA conjugate 69*-BSA. The sera were diluted 1:1000 and 10,000 with 1% BSA-PBS. Diluted sera (100 μL) was added per well of the microtiter plate which was coated with 0.5 μg of the corresponding 69*-BSA. Detection was done using a HRP conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody diluted to 1:10000 and developed using the TMB substrate. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm and the data were plotted using the GraphPad prism software.

FIG. 9 shows cross-reactivity of Day-0 and Day-35 pooled sera from rabbit (n=4) immunized with 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation. Sera of 69*-CRM₁₉₇ formulation was tested against LPS isolated from different KPC strains #1-#4. In both cases, the sera was tested against the LPS (O1), Commercial-LPS (O2 a,c), LPS (O2a), LPS (O5) and LPS (Gal III). Sera were diluted 1:200 with 1% BSA-PBS and 100 μL of the diluted sera was added per well of the microtiter plate which was coated with 1.0 μg of the corresponding LPS. Detection was done using a HRP conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody diluted to 1:10000 and developed using the TMB substrate. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm and the data were plotted using the GraphPad prism software.

EXAMPLES A. Chemical Synthesis

General Information:

Commercial grade solvents were used unless stated otherwise. Dry solvents were obtained from a Waters Dry Solvent System. Solvents for chromatography were distilled prior to use. Sensitive reactions were carried out in heat-dried glassware and under an argon atmosphere. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on Kieselgel 60 F254 glass plates precoated with a 0.25 mm thickness of silica gel. Spots were visualized by staining with vanillin solution (6% (w/v) vanillin and 10% (v/v) sulfuric acid in 95% EtOH) or Hanessian's stain (5% (w/v) ammonium molybdate, 1% (w/v) cerium(II) sulfate and 10% (v/v) sulfuric acid in water). Silica column chromatography was performed on Fluka Kieselgel 60 (230-400 mesh). ¹H, ¹³C and two-dimensional NMR spectra were measured with a Varian 400-MR spectrometer at 296 K. Chemical shifts (d) are reported in parts per million (ppm) relative to the respective residual solvent peaks (CDCl₃: d 7.26 in ¹H and 77.16 in ¹³C NMR; CD₃OD: d 3.31 in ¹H and 49.15 in ¹³C NMR). The following abbreviations are used to indicate peak multiplicities: s singlet; d doublet; dd doublet of doublets; t triplet; dt doublet of triplets; q quartet; m multiplet. Coupling constants (J) are reported in Hertz (Hz). Optical rotation (OR) measurements were carried out with a Schmidt & Haensch UniPol L1000 polarimeter at λ=589 nm and a concentration (c) expressed in g/100 mL in the solvent noted in parentheses. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was performed at the Free University Berlin, Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, with an Agilent 6210 ESI-TOF mass spectrometer. Infrared (IR) spectra were measured with a Perkin Elmer 100 FTIR spectrometer at applicant's facility.

ABBREVIATIONS

-   AcOH Acetic acid -   Alloc Allyloxycarbonyl -   aq. aqueous -   BH₃ borane -   BBr₃ boron tribromide -   Boc tert-Butoxycarbonyl -   br. broad -   CAS CAS Registry Number (CAS=Chemical Abstracts Service) -   CHCl₃ chloroform -   cHex cyclohexane -   d doublet -   dd doublet of doublets -   DCM dichloromethane -   DEAD diethyl azodicarboxylate -   DIPEA N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine -   DME dimethoxyethane -   DMF dimethylformamide -   DMSO dimethylsulfoxide -   DPPA diphenylphosphoryl azide -   EDC⋅HCl N1-((ethylimino)methylene)-N3,N3-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine     hydrochloride -   ES electrospray -   Et₂O diethyl ether -   EtOAc ethyl acetate -   h hour -   HCl hydrochloric acid -   H₂O water -   HOBt.H₂O 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-ol hydrate -   K₂CO₃ potassium carbonate -   m multiplet -   MeCN acetonitrile -   MeOH methanol -   MeI methyl iodide -   MgSO₄ magnesium sulphate -   min minutes -   MS mass spectrometry -   Na₂CO₃ sodium carbonate -   NaCNBH₃ sodium cyanoborohydride -   NaHCO₃ sodium hydrogencarbonate -   NaH sodium hydride -   NaOH sodium hydroxide -   Na₂SO₄ sodium sulphate -   NCS N-chlorosuccinimide -   NIS N-iodosuccinimide -   NMR nuclear magnetic resonance -   PBS phosphate-buffered saline -   Pd/C palladium on carbon -   PPh₃ triphenylphosphine -   q quartet -   rt room temperature -   s singlet -   sat. saturated -   sep septet -   t triplet -   TFA trifluoroacetic acid -   THF tetrahydrofuran -   TsOH tosic acid -   Wt weight.

Example 1: Synthesis of Monosaccharide Building Blocks

Compound 1* was prepared according to a procedure described in Carb. Res., 2010, 345, 10, 1316-1323.

Compound 2* was prepared according to a procedure described in Chemistry—A European Journal, 2010, 16(44), 13163-13175.

Compound 3* was prepared according to a procedure described in Org. Biomol. Chem., 2018, (16) 13, 2277-2288.

Compound 4* was prepared according to a procedure described in J. Org. Chem., 2012, 77 (1), 108-125.

Compound 4* (2 g, 3.30 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DCM (33 mL). Benzyl bromide (1.4 g, 8.24 mmol) and Ag₂O (7.64 g, 33 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was filtered through celite and concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude product. The crude was charged on isolute® and purified using an automated purification system on silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to give the product (1.43 g, 62%). HRMS (ESI⁺) Calcd for C₄₄H₄₀O₆SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 719.2443, found 719.2390.

Compound 6* was prepared according to a procedure described in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139 (2), 1011-1018 starting from compound 9*: Compound 9* (400 mg, 1.068 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (5 mL). FmocCl (431 mg, 1.666 mmol) and DMAP (19.58 mg, 0.160 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with sat. NaHCO₃ and brine. The organic layer was dried using Na₂SO₄ and the solvent evaporated to give the crude product. The crude was charged on isolute® and purified using an automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to give the product (360 mg, 56%). HRMS (ESI⁺) Calcd for C₃₅H₃₂O₇SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 597.1947, found 597.1857.

Compound 6* (1.7 g, 2.274 mmol) was dissolved in BH₃.THF (27 mL, 27 mmol) and TMSOTf (0.41 mL, 2.274 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction was quenched with methanol (cooling with an ice/water bath) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude product. The crude was charged on isolute® and purified using an automated purification system with ethyl acetate/cyclohexane to give the product (930 mg, 61%). HRMS (ESI⁺) Calcd for C₄₁H₃₈O₇SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 697.2236, found 697.2188.

Compound 7* (930 mg, 1.37 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DCM (14 mL). Benzyl bromide (589 mg, 3.45 mmol) and Ag₂O (3.19 g, 13.78 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was filtered through Celite® and concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude product. The crude was charged on isolute® and purified using the automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to give the product 8* (680 mg, 65%). HRMS (ESI⁺) Calcd for C₄₈H₄₄O₇SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 787.2705, found 787.2653.

Compound 9* was prepared according to a procedure described in Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20, 3578-3583.

Example 2: Synthesis of K. pneumoniae Serotype O3 Oligosaccharides

To a solution of compound 5* (550 mg, 0.789 mmol) and 5-azidopentanol (306 mg, 2.368 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (2.9 mL) was added 4 Å molecular sieves and the mixture let stir at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (213 mg, 0.947 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to −20° C. TMSOTf (14 μL, 0.079 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 1.5 h at 0° C. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with DCM, and the filtrate was washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and Brine (10 mL). Dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by an automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product 10* after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (51 mg, 49%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₄₃H₄₅N₃O₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 738.3155, found 738.3147.

To a solution of compound 10* (361 mg, 0.504 mmol) in DCM:PBS (2:1, 16.81 mL) was added 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (229 mg, 1.01 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2.5 h at room temperature. Reaction was monitored by TLC (EtOAc in cyclohexane, 2:1). Reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (50 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the crude product. The crude product was purified by automated flash chromatography using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to obtain a colorless oil of compound 11* (210 mg, 72%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₂H₃₇N₃O₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 599.2563, found 599.2555.

To a solution of compound 5* (276 mg, 0.396 mmol) and compound 11* (190 mg, 0.330 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (8.4 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was letting stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (89 mg, 0.396 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was cooled to −20° C. TMSOTf (6 μL, 0.03 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 1 h at 0° C. Reaction mixture was filtered, the filtrate was washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL). After drying over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, the layers were concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product 12* after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (300 mg, 78%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₇₀H₇₁N₃O₁₃Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1184.4885, found 1184.4902.

To a solution of compound 12* (290 mg, 0.294 mmol) in DCM:PBS (2:1, 8.3 mL) was added 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (113 mg, 0.499 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2.5 h at room temperature and monitored by TLC (EtOAc in cyclohexane, 2:1). Reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (40 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×40 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (20 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the crude product. The crude product was purified by automated flash chromatography using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to obtain compound 13* as a colorless oil (136 mg, 53%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₅₉H₆₃N₃O₁₃Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1044.4259, found 1044.4252.

To a solution of compound 8* (135 mg, 0.176 mmol) and 13* (150 mg, 0.147 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (3.8 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (40 mg, 0.176 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to −20° C. TMSTOf (2.6 μL, 0.015 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 1.5 h at 0° C. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL). After drying over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, the crude product were purified by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) which afforded the product 14* after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (184 mg, 75%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₀₁H₁₀₁N₃O₂₀Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1699.6910, found 1699.6886.

To a solution of compound 14* (180 mg, 0.107 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) triethylamine (208 μL, 1.491 mmol) was added at room temperature and stirred for 1 h. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product 15* after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (138 mg, 88%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₈₅H₉₁N₃O₁₈Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1476.6195, found 1476.6198.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (0.5M) (0.075 mL, 0.330 mmol) was added to a solution of compound 15* (24 mg, 0.016 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1, 1.5 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 20 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (2 mL) and diluted with brine (5 mL). Reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (18 mg, 88%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₉₉H₉₀O₂₂Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1268.5671, found 1268.5813.

Compound 16* (8.6 mg, 6.90 μmol) was taken in solvent mixture DCM (1 mL), tert-butanol (1 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added to it and hydrogenated for 24 h at 7 bar pressure of H₂ at rt. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter and the residue washed with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to get the crude product. Crude product was clean by 1H NMR, sample recovered and freeze dried to obtain compound 17* as a white crystalline solid (3.8 mg, 93%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₂₃H₄₃NO₁₆H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 590.2694, found 590.2683.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, D₂O) δ 5.15 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.85 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (dd, J=3.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.06-4.12 (m, 2H), 4.03 (dd, J=9.1, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.86-3.97 (m, 5H), 3.71-3.86 (m, 8H), 3.61-3.71 (m, 2H), 3.51-3.61 (m, 1H), 3.01 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.61-1.78 (m, 4H), 1.39-1.54 (m, 2H).

To a solution of compound 8* (43 mg, 0.056 mmol) and compound 15* (65 mg, 0.045 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (1.94 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (12 mg, 0.054 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to −20° C. TMSTOf (0.8 μL, 4.47 μmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 35 min at 0° C. Reaction monitored by TLC until no starting material was left. Triethylamine (250 μl) was added and the mixture was warmed to room temperature gradually over 1 h. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL), subsequently dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (46 mg, 54%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₁₃H₁₁₉N₃O₂₃H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 1909.8166, found 1909.8160.

To a solution of compound 3* (16.8 mg, 0.026 mmol) and compound 18* (28 mg, 0.015 mmol) in mixture of anhydrous toluene (0.9 mL) and anhydrous dioxane (0.3 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then, NIS (4 mg, 0.018 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to −20° C. TMSTOf (0.27 μL, 1.484 μmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 2 h allowing to warm to room temperature. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL), subsequently dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (32 mg, 89%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₄₇H₁₅₁N₃O₂₉Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2445.0331, found 2445.9951.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.051 mL, 0.223 mmol) was added to a solution of the pentasaccharide 19* (27 mg, 0.011 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1, 1.5 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (3 mL) and diluted with brine (5 mL). Reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (17 mg, 72%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₂₆H₁₃₉N₃O₂₆Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2133.9578, found 2133.9517.

Compound 20* (17 mg, 8.05 μmol) was taken in a solvent mixture of DCM (1 mL), tert-butanol (1 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added and hydrogenated for 24 h under H₂ balloon at rt. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter, washed the residue with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to get the crude product. 1H NMR analysis showed the completion of the reaction and the presence of product. So, crude product was purified through the C18 Sepak column using water (3 mL×2, fr1), 20% acetonitrile-water (3 mL×2, fr2) and acetonitrile (3 mL, fr3). All the fractions were frozen and lyophilized for 24 h to get one pure fraction fr1 of compound 21* (white solid, 6.4 mg, 87%), and two impure fractions white fluffy solid (fr2, 0.4 mg) a white fluffy solid (fr.3, 0.6 mg).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₅H₆₃NO₂₆H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 914:3717, found 914:3725.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, D₂O) δ 5.35 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.08 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.02 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.82 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (dd, J=3.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.02-4.11 (m, 4H), 3.92-4.01 (m, 3H), 3.80-3.92 (m, 8H), 3.50-3.80 (m, 18H), 2.93-3.04 (m, 2H), 1.58-1.76 (m, 4H), 1.37-1.58 (m, 2H).

Compound 22* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and azidoethanol.

Compound 23* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and azidodecanol.

Compound 24* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethanol.

Compound 25* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 3-azido-2,2-difluoropropanol.

Compound 26* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding azido alcohol.

Compound 27* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding azido alcohol.

Compound 28* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding S-benzylthio alcohol.

Compound 29* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 5-hexenol.

Compound 30* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecanol.

Compound 31* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and azido-PEG7-alcohol.

Compound 32* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 5-benzyloxypentanol.

Compound 33* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 12-benzyloxydecanol.

Compound 34* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and methyl 6-hydroxydecanoic acid.

Compound 34a* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and methyl 6-hydroxydecanoic acid.

Compound 35* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 1,2-dibenzyl glycerol or acetonide protected glycerol.

Compound 36* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 2-(chloroethoxy)ethanol.

Compound 37* was prepared similarly to compound 21* starting from compound 5* and 4-penten-1-ol.

Example 3: Synthesis of K. pneumoniae Serotype O5 Trisaccharide

To a solution of compound 3* (490 mg, 0.758 mmol) and 5-azidopropanol (294 mg, 2.273 mmol) in a mixture of anhydrous toluene (11.4 mL) and anhydrous dioxane (3.76 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (205 mg, 0.909 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to 0° C. TfOH (11.4 mg, 0.076 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 2 h at 0° C. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (25 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×40 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL) and brine (10 mL) and dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product 38* after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (420 mg, 83%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₉H₄₃N₃O₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 688.2999, found 688.3009.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.41 mL, 1.802 mmol) was added to a solution of the monosaccharide 38* (400 mg, 0.601 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1, 12 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 20 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (15 mL) and diluted with brine (20 mL). Reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×60 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (300 mg, 89%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₂H₃₉N₃O₆Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 584.2737, found 584.2738.

To a solution of compound 3* (355 mg, 0.548 mmol) and compound 39* (280 mg, 0.499 mmol) in a mixture of anhydrous toluene (10 mL) and anhydrous dioxane (3.3 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (135 mg, 0.598 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to 0° C. TfOH (7.5 mg, 0.05 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 1 h at 0° C. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL), subsequently dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (350 mg, 64%) and starting compound 39* (62 mg, 22%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₆₆H₇₁N₃O₁₂Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1120.4935, found 1120.4922.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.8 mL, 3.19 mmol) was added to a solution of compound 40* (350 mg, 0.319 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1, 7.5 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 20 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (15 mL) and diluted with brine (20 mL). Reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×60 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (278 mg, 88%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₅₉H₆₇N₃O₁₁Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1016.4673, found 1016.4686.

To a solution of compound 2* (180 mg, 0.304 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (11 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, 1-(phenylsulfinyl)piperidine (69.7 mg, 0.333 mmol) and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylpyrimidine (150 mg, 0.606 mmol) was added, reaction mixture cooled to −65° C. and stirred for 30 min. Triflic anhydride (61 μL, 0.362 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 20 min at −65° C. Reaction mixture was then cooled to −78° C. and compound 41* (275 mg, 0.277 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added dropwise and stirred for 6 h at −78° C. and then warmed to 0° C. over 1 h. The reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×35 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL) and dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (220 mg, 54%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₉₉H₉₅N₃O₁₆Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1496.6610, found 1496.6623.

Compound 42* (8 mg, 5.99 μmol) was taken in solvent mixture DCM (1 mL), tBuOH (1 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added and hydrogenated under H₂ balloon at rt. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter, washed the residue with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated in vacuum to get the crude product. Crude product was clean by ¹H NMR, sample recovered and freeze dried to obtain a white crystalline solid (3.53 mg, quantitative).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₂₃H₄₃NO₁₆H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 590.2660, found 590.2814.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, D₂O) δ 5.12 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (s, 1H), 4.28 (dd, J=3.4, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.81-4.00 (m, 6H), 3.48-3.81 (m, 11H), 3.36 (ddd, J=9.4, 6.7, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.58-1.74 (m, 4H), 1.36-1.51 (m, 2H).

Compound 44* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 3* and azidoethanol.

Compound 45* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and azidodecanol.

Compound 46* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 2-(2-azidoethoxy)ethanol.

Compound 47* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 3-azido-2,2-difluoropropanol.

Compound 48* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding azido alcohol.

Compound 49* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding azido alcohol.

Compound 50* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and the corresponding S-benzylthio alcohol.

Compound 51* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 5-hexenol.

Compound 52* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecanol.

Compound 53* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and azido-PEG7-alcohol.

Compound 54* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 5-benzyloxypentanol.

Compound 55* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 12-benzyloxydecanol.

Compound 56* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and methyl 6-hydroxydecanoic acid.

Compound 56a* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and methyl 6-hydroxydecanoic acid.

Compound 57* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 1,2-dibenzyl glycerol.

Compound 58* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 2-(chloroethoxy)ethanol.

Compound 59* was prepared similarly to compound 43* starting from compound 5* and 4-penten-1-ol.

Example 4: Synthesis of K. pneumoniae Serotype O5 Hexasaccharide

To a solution of compound 42* (220 mg, 0.149 mmol) in DCM:PBS (2:1, 7.4 mL) was added 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (67.7 mg, 0.298 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature and monitored by TLC (EtOAc in cyclohexane, 2:1). Reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (50 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (25 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄ to obtain the crude product. The crude product was purified by automated flash chromatography using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to obtain compound 60* as colorless oil (125 mg, 63%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₇₉H₈₇N₃O₁₆Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1356.5984, found 1356.5983.

To a solution of compound 8* (160 mg, 0.209 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added triethylamine (0.2 mL, 1.435 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. Reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the crude product. The crude product was purified by automated flash chromatography using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to obtain a colorless oil (96 mg, 85%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₃H₃₄O₅SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 566.2025, found 566.2065.

To compound 61* (1.05 g, 1.623 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) and H₂O (1 mL) was added N-iodosuccinimide (365 mg, 1.623 mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid (124 μL, 1.623 mmol) at 0° C. and stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aqu. NaHCO₃ (50 mL) solution and DCM (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (50 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. The crude product was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (730 mg, 81%) as colorless oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₄H₃₄O₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 577.2202, found 577.2208.

Cs₂CO₃ (141 mg, 0.433 mmol) and 2,2,2-trifluro-N-phenyl-acetimidoyl chloride (135 mg, 0.649 mmol) were added to a solution of lactol 62* (120 mg, 0.216 mmol) in DCM (2.2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature and monitored by TLC. After 2 hours all the starting material was consumed, the reaction was filtered through Celite® and washed with DCM (10 mL). The solvent was evaporated and the crude product (157 mg, quantitative) was used in the next step without any purification.

To a solution of compound 63* (157 mg, 0.216 mmol) and compound 61* (117 mg, 0.216 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (4.6 mL) and dioxane (1.5 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. TMSOTf (3.92 μL, 0.022 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at −10° C. for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×20 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give crude product. The residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (193 mg, 83%) as colorless oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₆₇H₆₆O₁₁SNa⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1101.4224, found 1101.4073.

To a solution of compound 64* (116 mg, 0.108 mmol) and compound 60* (120 mg, 0.090 mmol) in a mixture of anhydrous toluene (4.5 mL) and anhydrous dioxane (1.5 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (26.3 mg, 0.117 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to 0° C. TfOH (1.35 mg, 8.99 μmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 3 h and gradually warmed to room temp. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL) and dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (110 mg, 53%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₄₀H₁₄₇N₃O₂₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2326.0153, found 2326.0177.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.051 mL, 0.239 mmol) was added to a solution of the pentasaccharide 65* (110 mg, 0.048 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1, 3 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (5 mL) and diluted with brine (10 mL). Reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×20 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product 66* after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (95 mg, 90%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₄₀H₁₄₇N₃O₂₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2221.9891, found 2221.9960.

To a solution of compound 2* (23.16 mg, 0.039 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (2 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min. Then, 1-(phenylsulfinyl)piperidine (8.59 mg, 0.041 mmol) and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylpyrimidine (18.55 mg, 0.075 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was cooled to −65° C. and stirred for 30 min. Triflic anhydride (7.55 μL, 0.045 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 15 min at −65° C. Reaction mixture was then cooled to −78° C. and compound 66* (75 mg, 0.034 mmol) in DCM (1.5 mL) was added dropwise and stirred for 6 h at −78° C. and then warmed to −25° C. within 1 h. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL) and dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product (as α/β mixture) after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (35 mg, 38%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₆₄H₁₇₁N₃O₃₁Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2702.1828, found 2702.1783.

To compound 67* (35 mg, 0.013 mmol) in DCM (2.5 mL) was added ethane thiol (9.66 μL, 0.131 mmol) and p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate (1.24 mg, 6.53 μmol) at room temperature and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 h. Reaction mixture was quenched with triethylamine (1 mL) and concentrated under vacuum, the residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product as pure desired β-isomer (16 mg, 49%) as colorless oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₅₀H₁₆₃N₃O₃₁Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2526.1202, found 2526.1152.

Compound 68* (15 mg, 5.99 μmol) was taken in solvent mixture DCM (1 mL), tBuOH (1 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added and hydrogenated for 24 h under H₂ balloon at r.t. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter, and the residue was washed with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to get the crude product. ¹H NMR analysis showed the completion of the reaction and the presence of product. So, crude product was purified through the C18 Sepak column using water (3 mL×2, fr1), 20% acetonitrile-water (3 mL×2, fr2) and acetonitrile (3 mL, fr3). All the fractions were frozen and lyophilized for 24 h to get one pure fraction fr1 of compound 69* (white solid, 5.64 mg, 87%), and two impure fractions white fluffy solid (fr2, 0.2 mg) a white fluffy solid (fr.3, 0.2 mg).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₄₁H₇₃NO₃₁H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 1076.4244, found 1076.4245.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, Deuterium Oxide) δ 5.33 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 5.06 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 4.65-4.68 (m, 2H), 4.27 (dt, J=3.2, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 4.14-4.20 (m, 1H), 4.09 (dd, J=3.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 3.82-4.04 (m, 12H), 3.47-3.82 (m, 23H), 3.32-3.43 (m, 2H), 2.94-3.02 (m, 2H), 1.59-1.73 (m, 4H), 1.35-1.53 (m, 2H).

Example 5: Synthesis of K. pneumoniae Serotype O5 Nonasaccharide

To a solution of compound 63* (720 mg, 0.978 mmol) and 4-methoxyphenol (121 mg, 0.978 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (7.3 mL) and dioxane (2.5 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. TMSOTf (18 μL, 0.098 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at −10° C. for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (35 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×50 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give crude product. The residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (540 mg, 84%) as colorless oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₄₁H₄₀O₈Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 683.2621, found 683.2643.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.52 mL, 2.406 mmol) was added to a solution of the benzoate 70* (530 mg, 0.802 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (4:1, 7.5 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (3 mL) and diluted with brine (25 mL). Reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×50 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (430 mg, 96%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₃₄H₃₆O₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 579.2359, found 579.2395.

To a solution of compound 3* (100 mg, 0.155 mmol) and compound 71* (86 mg, 0.155 mmol) in a mixture of anhydrous toluene (2.3 mL) and anhydrous dioxane (0.8 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture let stir at room temperature for 30 min. Then, NIS (41.7 mg, 0.186 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture cooled to −10° C. TfOH (2.32 mg, 0.015 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 1 h and gradually warmed to room temp. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution (25 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×30 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (15 mL) and brine (10 mL), dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (132 mg, 78%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₆₆H₆₈O₁₃Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1115.4558, found 1115.4595.

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (0.074 mL, 0.343 mmol) was added to a solution of the benzoate 72* (125 mg, 0.114 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (4:1, 2.3 mL). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (3 mL) and diluted with brine (25 mL). Reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a colorless thick gel (108 mg, 95%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₆₁H₆₄O₁₂Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1011.4295, found 1011.4326.

To a solution of compound 2* (197 mg, 0.334 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (6 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Then, 1-(phenylsulfinyl)piperidine (76 mg, 0.365 mmol) and 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylpyrimidine (165 mg, 0.664 mmol) were added, reaction mixture cooled to −65° C. and stirred for 30 min. Triflic anhydride (67 μL, 0.397 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 20 min at −65° C. Reaction mixture was then cooled to −78° C. and compound 73* (300 mg, 0.303 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added dropwise and stirred for 6 h at −78° C. and then warmed to 0° C. within 1 h. Reaction mixture was filtered and washed with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by automated purification system using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) afforded the product after evaporation of the solvent as a cloudy thick gel (300 mg, 67%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₉₂H₉₅O₁₇Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1492.6266, found 1492.6232.

To trisaccharide 74*(289 mg, 0.197 mmol) in acetonitrile (8.7 mL) and H₂O (1.1 mL) was added ceric ammonium nitrate (172 mg, 0.315 mmol) at 0° C. and stirred for 2 h. Reaction mixture was monitored by TLC, another portion of ceric ammonium nitrate (172 mg, 0.315 mmol) was added and stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. NaHCO₃ (25 mL) solution and DCM (35 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (25 mL), combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give crude product. The residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (125 mg, 46%) as light-yellow oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₈₅H₈₆O₁₆Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 1385.5814, found 1385.5885.

Cs₂CO₃ (38.2 mg, 0.117 mmol) and 2,2,2-trifluro-N-phenyl-acetimidoyl chloride (36.5 mg, 0.176 mmol) were added to a solution of lactol 75* (80 mg, 0.059 mmol) in DCM (8 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature and monitored by TLC. After 2 hours all the starting material was consumed, the reaction was filtered through celite and washed with DCM (20 mL). The solvent was evaporated and the crude product (90 mg, quantitative) was used in the next step without any purification.

To a solution of compound 76* (80 mg, 0.052 mmol) and compound 60* (69.6 mg, 0.052 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (2 mL) and dioxane (0.66 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. TMSOTf (1 μL, 5.21 μmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at −10° C. for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (20 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give crude product. The residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (70 mg, 50%) as colorless oil.

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₆₄H₁₇₁N₃O₃₁Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2702.1828, found 2702.1853.

To a solution of compound 77* (60 mg, 0.022 mmol) in DCM:PBS (2:1, 5.1 mL) was added 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (10.2 mg, 0.045 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at room temperature and monitored by TLC (EtOAc in cyclohexane, 2:1). A portion of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (5 mg) was added again and the mixture was stirred at room temp for 2 h. Reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (25 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (15 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the crude product. The crude product was purified by automated flash chromatography using silica (ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to obtain a colorless oil (30 mg, 53%).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₁₅₃H₁₆₃N₃O₃₁Na⁺ [M+Na]⁺ 2562.1202, found 2562.1219.

To a solution of compound 76* (35 mg, 0.023 mmol) and compound 78* (29 mg, 0.011 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (3 mL) and dioxane (1 mL) was added 4 Å MS and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. TMSOTf (0.2 μL, 1.142 μmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at −10° C. for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ solution (20 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give crude product. The residue was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc and cyclohexane as solvents to afford the desired product (28 mg, 63%) as yellow oil.

MALDI-TOF: Calcd for C₂₃₈H₂₄₇N₃O₄₆H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 3885.722, found 3885.105.

Compound 79* (6.0 mg, 1.415 μmol) was taken in solvent mixture DCM (1 mL), tBuOH (1 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added to it and hydrogenated for 24 h under H₂ balloon at rt. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter, the residue was washed with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to get the crude product. ¹H NMR analysis showed the completion of the reaction and the presence of product. So, crude product was purified through the C18 Sepak column using water (3 mL×2, fr1), 20% acetonitrile-water (3 mL×2, fr2) and acetonitrile (3 mL, fr3). All the fractions were frozen and lyophilized for 24 h to get one pure fraction of compound 80* fr1 (white solid, 2.4 mg, 99%), and two impure fractions white fluffy solid (fr2, 0.03 mg) a white fluffy solid (fr.3, 0.4 mg).

HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₅₉H₁₀₃NO₄₆H⁺ [M+H]⁺ 1562.5829, found 1562.5815.

Example 5: Automated Synthesis of K. pneumoniae Serotype O3 Oligosaccharides General Methods and Materials

Anhydrous* solvents used to prepare building block as well as activator, TMSOTf and capping stock solutions were taken from a solvent drying system (JC Meyer solvent systems). HPLC Grade DCM was used for washing. All other washing solvents (DMF, THF, dioxane and MeOH) were reagent grade.

Building blocks are dried by co-evaporation with toluene (3×) and drying under high vacuum for approximately 1 to 2 hours.

All synthesis were carried out on a scale of 0.0125 mmol using a Merrifield resin modified with a photocleavable linker (loading=0.41 mmol/g). The structure of the linker loaded resin is as follows—

Stock Solutions

Activator solution: 150 mM NIS/15 mM TfOH in DCM*:dioxane*

Acid wash solution: 62 mM TMSOTf in DCM*

Capping solution: 10% (v/v) Ac₂O/2% (v/v) MeSO₃H in DCM*

pyridine “pre-wash” solution: 10% (v/v) pyridine in DMF

Fmoc deprotection solution: 20% (v/v) piperidine in DMF

AUTOMATION MODULES Module A: Initial Resin Swelling/Beginning of Synthesis Wash

The resin is washed with DCM, DMF and THF (3×, 2 mL, 25 s each) before swelling in DCM (2 mL) for 30 mins with occasional mixing using pulsed Argon bubbling.

Module B: Acidic Wash with 62 mM TMSOTf

DCM (2 mL) is delivered into the reaction vessel, and the temperature is adjusted to −20° C. The DCM is drained and replaced by another 2 mL of DCM before TMSOTf solution (1 mL) is added dropwise. The mixture is incubated for 1.5 mins under Ar bubbling before draining washing with 2 mL DCM for 25 s.

T Incubation Action Cycles Reagent Amount (° C.) Time Cooling — — — −20 — Deliver 2 DCM 2 mL −20 — Deliver TMSOTf 1 mL −20 1.5 min Wash DCM 2 mL −20 25 s

Module C: Thioglycoside Coupling

Building Block Stocks and Glycosylation Parameters:

c T1 Structure Excess (mM) (° C.) T2 (° C.) A 81*

6.5 eq.  ~81 0 10 B 82*

 10 eq. ~125 0 20

Glycosylation Cycle:

DCM (2 mL) is added to the resin and the temperature is set to the activation temperature T1—2 K. While cooling down, the building block solution is delivered to the reaction vessel. After the set temperature has stabilized at T1—2 K, the reaction is started by adding 1 mL of activator solution. The mixture is kept at T1 for 5 minutes before a second 20 minute incubation cycle is started during which the temperature is raised to a temperature T2. Upon completion of the incubation cycle the reaction mixture is drained and the resin is washed once each with DCM:Dioxane 1:1 (2 mL) and DCM (2 mL). The module finishes by raising the temperature to 25° C. while performing two additional DCM washes (2 mL).

T Incubation Action Cycles Solution Amount (° C.) Time Cooling — — — T1-2 — Deliver 2 for A BB Solution 1 mL Deliver 1 for B Activator 1 mL Solution Incubation T1 5 min Incubation T2 20 min Wash 1 DCM:Dioxane 2 mL T2 25 s 1:1 Wash 1 DCM 2 mL 0 25 s Heating — — — 25 — Wash 2 DCM 2 mL 25 25 s

Module D: Capping

The resin is washed with DMF (2×, 25 s) and the temperature of the reaction vessel was set to 25° C. 2 mL of 10% Pyridine in DMF is delivered into the reaction vessel. After 1 min, the solution is drained and the resin is washed with DCM (3×, 2 mL, 25 s). Then, 4 mL of capping solution is delivered into the reaction vessel and incubated for 20 mins under Argon bubbling. The cycle concludes by draining the reaction mixture washing the resin with DCM (3×, 2 mL, 25 s).

T Incubation Action Cycles Solution Amount (° C.) Time Heating — — — 25 Wash 2 DMF 2 mL 25 25 s Deliver 1 10% Py in 2 mL 25 1 min DMF Wash 3 DCM 2 mL 25 25 s Deliver 1 Capping 4 mL 25 20 mins solution Wash 3 DCM 2 mL 25 25 s

Module E: FMOC Deprotection

The resin is washed with DMF (3×, 2 mL, 25s) and the temperature of the reaction vessel is adjusted to 25° C. 2 mL of FMOC deprotection solution is delivered into the reaction vessel. After 5 mins, the solution was drained through the UV-sensor and the resin is washed with DMF (3×, 2 mL) and DCM (5×, 2 mL, 60 s each). The temperature of the reaction vessel was decreased to −20° C. in preparation of the next cycle.

T Incubation Action Cycles Solution Amount (° C.) Time Heating — — — 25 Wash 3 DMF 2 mL 25 25 s Deliver 1 FMOC deprotection 2 mL 25 5 mins Solution Wash 1 DMF 2 mL Cooling — — — −20 — Wash 3 DMF 2 mL 25 s Wash 5 DCM 2 mL 25 s

Post-Automation Steps Cleavage from Solid Support

After automated synthesis, the oligosaccharides were cleaved from solid support using a continuous flow photoreactor. The sample (resin loaded with target oligosaccharide) is taken up in 20 mL DCM (stabilized with amylene, LC-MS grade) and injected into the reactor (Wavelength=300 nm) at the rate of 1.0 mL/min. When all of the resin is inside the reactor, fresh DCM (20 mL) is injected to retrieve the photocleaved resin. The filtrate so obtained is concentrated in-vacuo and subjected to further analysis and purification.

Purification and HPLC Analysis

The crudes were dissolved in 1:1 hexane: ethyl acetate and analyzed using analytical HPLC (YMC-Diol-300 column, 150×4.6 mm, ELSD Detector and DAAD, 280 nm). Method—(Stop Time—60.0 mins)

Time (min) % Ethyl Acetate % Hexane Flow (mL/min) 0.00 20 80 1.000 5.00 20 80 1.000 40.00 55 45 1.000 45.00 100 0 1.000 50.00 100 0 1.000

LIST OF OLIGOSACCHARIDES OBTAINED

Amount Structure 22 mg

38 mg

31 mg

38 mg

42 mg

Experimental Procedures for the Deprotection of Fully Protected Oligosaccharides from Automation Steps in Solution Phase Synthesis

Benzoyl and Acetate Deprotection:

Sodium methoxide solution in MeOH (25% w/w) (30-45 eq.) was added to a solution of benzoate 83*-87* (1 eq.) in a mixture of MeOH:THF (2:1). The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by the addition of H₂O (1 mL) and diluted with brine (5 mL). The reaction mixture extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). Combined organic layers were dried over anhydr. Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Crude product 83a*-87a* after evaporation of the solvent obtained as a yellow thick gel which was used in next step without any further purification.

Benzyl Deprotection:

83a*-87a* (1 eq.) was taken in solvent mixture DCM (2 mL), tBuOH (2 mL) and two drops of water. Pd/C was added and hydrogenated for 24 h under H₂ balloon at r.t. The reaction mixture was filtered through PTFE filter and the residue washed with methanol (6 mL), (50% methanol-water (6 mL). The filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to get the crude product. ¹H NMR analysis showed the completion of the reaction and the presence of product. So, crude product was purified through the C18 Sepak column using water (3 mL×2, fr1), 50% acetonitrile-water (3 mL×2, fr2) and acetonitrile (3 mL, fr2). All the fractions were frozen and lyophilized for 24 h to get one pure fraction of compound 83b*-87b* fr1, and impure fraction fr2.

Thus, hexasaccharide 83b*, decasaccharide 84b*, dodecasaccharide 85b* and pentadecasaccharide 86b* have been obtained using the protocol stated above. Following the similar protocol, the fully deprotected Icosasaccharide 87b* can be achieved from compound 87a*.

Compound structure Amount Mass

5.2 mg HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₄₁H₇₃NO₃₁H⁺ [M + H]⁺ 1076.4245, found 1076.4241.

10.2 mg HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₆₅H₁₁₃NO₅₁H⁺ [M + H]⁺ 724.6358, found 1724.6328.

11.1 mg HRMS (ESI+) Calcd for C₇₇H₁₃₃NO₆₁H⁺ [M + H]⁺ 2048.7414, found 2048.7329.

13.7 mg MALDI-TOF Calcd for C₉₅H₁₆₃NO₇₆Na⁺ [M + Na]⁺ 2557.8852, found 2560.363.

MALDI-TOF Calcd for C₉₅H₁₆₃NO₇₆Na⁺ [M + Na]⁺ 2557.8852, found 2560.363.

B Immunization Studies of K. pneumoniae Serotype O3 and O5 Oligosaccharides

Materials:

-   ELISA plates (high-binding, EIA/RIA Plate, 96 well, flat bottom with     low evaporation lid, company: Costar® 3361) -   Detection antibody: Goat anti rabbit IgG peroxidase conjugate     (Sigma, #A4914) and Goat anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) peroxidase conjugate     (Dianova Code: 115-035-068). -   Blocking solution: 1% FCS (v/v) in PBS. -   Antibody diluent: PBS+1% BSA (w/v). -   Wash Buffer: PBS+0.1% Tween 20 (PBS-T) -   Developing solution: 1 Step™ Ultra TMB-ELISA developer.     (ThermoScientific, Cat #: 34028) -   Stop solution—2M sulphuric acid (H₂SO4). -   Plate reader: Anthos HT 2. -   Software: WinRead 2.36 for absorbance measurements and GraphPad     Prism 7 for data plotting and analysis. -   Alum: Aluminium Hydroxide Gel Adjuvant (Alhydrogel® 2%), Brenntag,     Batch #: 5447 Exp Dt: February 2020. -   Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA). InvivoGen; Cat: vac-ifa-10,     Batch #: IFA-39-03; Exp Dt: September 2019 -   QuantiPro™ BCA Assay Kit (SIGMA) Product: QPBCA-1KT; Lot #:     SLBR7451V; Pcode: 1002296464 -   Mini-PROTEAN® TGX™ Gels- 10%, 10 well (30 μL/well) Control     Nr:64175708, -   Precision Plus Dual Color, Cat: 1610374; Control Nr: 641798899 -   GelCode™ Blue Safe Protein Stain; ThermoScientific; Ref: 1860957;     Lot #: TA260266 -   Klebsiella pneumoniae LPS. SIGMA- L4268; Lot #: 116 M 4057 V

Methods:

1. Bacterial Strains and LPS.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) strains differing in their LPS (O-antigen) with/without the capsule were used to isolate and purify the corresponding LPS. The purified LPS were used as coating antigen in Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The O2a,c LPS was procured from Sigma-Aldrich.

TABLE 1 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains used for LPS isolation. # LPS/O-antigen 1 O1 2 O2a 3 O2a,c 4 Galactan-III

2. Production of Glycoconjugate and Characterization.

The KPC synthetic antigens were 21* and 69* conjugated to the carrier protein CRM₁₉₇ (21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇) for immunization experiments and to Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA; (21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇)) as coating antigen for ELISA according to the procedure described below.

General Conjugation Protocol Step 1: PNP-Ester Synthesis

Compound 21* or 69* (1 eq) was dissolved in DMSO or DMSO—H₂O at room temperature in a 8 mL vial. Activated bis-(4-nitrophenyl) adipate (20 eq) was added to it and stirred for 5 minutes. Triethylamine (50 eq) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 3-5 h. The reaction mixture was frozen using liquid nitrogen and then lyophilized for 18 h to dryness to afford pale yellow colored crude product along with the excess of the reagent. The crude product was washed thoroughly with sufficient CHCl₃ followed by DCM to remove excess reagent. The solid para-nitrophenyl (PNP) ester was dried and taken for the next step.

Step 2: Conjugation to the Protein

Conjugation procedure: The PNP ester of 21* or 69* in 50 μL of 0.15 M NaCl in NaPi buffer was added dropwise to the reaction vial containing CRM₁₉₇ or BSA in buffer (˜150 μL). The vial was finally rinsed with 50 μL of buffer solution and transferred to the reaction vial completely. Thus making the volume of the reaction in the vial ˜200 μL. The reaction mixture became yellow in colour and stirred the reaction mixture at r.t. for 24h. The conjugate solution (21*-CRM₁₉₇, 69*-CRM₁₉₇, 21*-CRM₁₉₇ or 69*-CRM₁₉₇) was transferred to an Amicon® Ultra-0.5 mL centrifugal filter, centrifuged for 6 minutes at 2-8° C. 300 μL of buffer were added to the reaction vial, rinsed and transferred to the filter and centrifuged again. Additional washings were done using 1×PBS solution and centrifuging till the yellow colour was gone and the conjugate became clear solution. After the final wash the conjugate was stored in 1×PBS solution at 2-8° C.

The conjugates were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, SEC chromatography, and MALDI analysis. The loading of the sugar on the carrier was specifically calculated by subtracting the mass between the conjugated and unconjugated protein using MALDI analysis. The protein content was estimated using the micro BCA method following manufacture protocol.

2.1 SDS-PAGE Analysis

The samples were mixed in a microfuge tube and heated for 5 min at 95° C. on a thermocycler. After cooling to room temperature for 5 min, the samples at approximately 2.5 μg were loaded onto the respective wells of a 10% polyacrylamide gel along with 10 μL of the marker. The samples were run at a constant voltage of 120V for 1 h. Staining was done using the GelCode™ Blue Safe Protein Stain as per manufacture instructions. The gels were washed with deionized water overnight and scanned using the gel documentation system.

2.2 Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) of Glycoconjugates

The glycoconjugates (21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇) used for immunization studies were analyzed by SEC to observe a mass difference between the conjugated and unconjugated CRM protein. The samples were diluted in 50 mM Tris, 20 mM NaCl, pH 7.2 and run on a Agilent 1100 HPLC system fitted with Tosoh TSK G2000 column (SWxl, 7.8 mm×30 cm, 5 μm) and a Tosoh TSKgel® Guard Column (SWxl 6.0 mm×4 cm, 7 μm). The flow rate was kept at 1 mL/min.

3. Formulation of Vaccines for Immunization

The glycoconjugates were formulated in aluminum hydroxide (alum) adjuvant for mice studies, and in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA) for immunization in rabbits.

3.1 Formulation in Alum

All the formulations were prepared under sterile conditions. The glycoconjugates (DS) and PBS were mixed in the appropriate pre-calculated ratio in a 50 mL Falcon™ tube corresponding to the final formulation volume leaving out the volume of alum (0.25 mg/mL) required. This formed the DS-PBS mixture. The antigen/DS dose per animal was kept at 5 μg/100 μL/animal. The DS-PBS mixture was gently mixed (5×) using a serological pipette. To the DS-PBS mixture, the corresponding volume of stock alum (10 mg/mL) was added to give a final alum ratio of 1:40 or 0.250 mg/mL. The mixture was immediately mixed by gentle pipetting (20×) using a 5 mL serological pipette. The Falcon™ tube was capped, wrapped with Parafilm® and allowed to mix on a shaker at 250 rpm for 2 h at room temperature (RT). After the incubation time of 2 h, the formulations were brought under the clean bench, aliquoted, and further stored at 4° C. till further use.

3.2 Formulation in IFA

Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA) from InvivoGen was used for formulating the vaccines for rabbit immunization studies. Protocol was followed as per manufacture. Antigen: IFA concentration was kept at 1:1. The antigen dose per animal was kept at 5 μg/200 μL/animal (100 μL of antigen +100 μL IFA). IFA at the desired calculated volume (50% of the final immunization volume) was taken in a 15 mL sterile Falcon™ tube. The calculated amount of the diluted antigen solution (volume adjusted with PBS to 50% of the final immunization volume) was taken in a 3 mL sterile syringe, fitted with a 20 G needle. The DS solution was added into the Falcon™ tube containing the IFA and immediately vortexed for 15 sec (5×). The color of the formulation changes from pale-yellow to milky-white on vortexing which indicates the formation of stable emulsion. The resulting vaccine formulation was briefly vortexed and aliquoted into 2 mL sterile tubes with the desired dose volumes. Prior to immunizations, the tubes containing the vaccine formulations were vortexed and then injected into animals.

3.3 Characterization of Alum Formulations

The glycoconjugates formulated in alum were characterized to determine the final alum concentration and the pH of the formulations.

4. Immunization Schedule

Mice and rabbit immunizations were performed under specific pathogen-free conditions and were provided food and water ad libitum. Mice (n=6) and rabbits (n=4) were immunized sub cutaneous with the vaccine formulations (Table 2) at an injection volume of 100 μL/mice, and 200 μL/rabbit. The antigen dose for mice was kept at 5 μg/animal except for the antigen-7 (2.5 μg each of antigen 1, and -2). The antigen dose for rabbit was kept at 5 μg/animal. Mice and rabbits were immunized on day 0, 14 and 28. Blood was drawn on day −1, 7, and 22 for mice and day 0, 7 and 21 for rabbits respectively, for the determination of antibody titers. On day 35, the animals were sacrificed, and blood collected.

TABLE 2 Immunization schedule of mice (n = 6) and rabbits (n = 4). group glycoconjugate mice per group rabbits per group 1 21*-CRM₁₉₇ (O3) 6 0 2 69*-CRM₁₉₇ (O5) 6 4 *All values for mice sera analysis were subtracted using the values from PBS (negative control).

5. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) of Sera Using In-House Antigen Coated Plates

Coating of Plates with Antigen:

Conjugates 21*-BSA and 69*-BSA, and LPS #1-#4 were used as the coating antigen. LPS was dissolved in isopropanol at a concentration of 10/20 μg/mL. 100 μL was used for coating each well resulting in a coating concentration of 1-2 μg/well. The LPS solutions were loaded into the well and subjected to overnight evaporation at r.t. inside the sterile bench. For conjugates 21*-BSA and 69*-BSA, the respective conjugates were dissolved at a concentration of 5 μg/mL in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4. 100 μL were coated per well and incubated overnight at 4° C. to get an antigen concentration of 0.5 μg/well.

Washing:

After overnight adsorption of the antigen, the plates were washed 1× with PBS-T (200 μL/well) and the excess fluid per well was removed by inverting the plate and tapping on a clean dry tissue towel.

Blocking:

The plates were blocked using 200 μL of the commercial blocking solution and incubated for 2 h at RT.

Washing:

After blocking, the plates were washed 3× with PBS-T (200 μL/well) and the excess fluid per well was removed by inverting the plate and by tapping on a clean dry tissue towel.

Dilution of Sera and Incubations:

Pooled sera (n=4 rabbits or n=6 mice/group) from different time-points of the different experimental groups were diluted to their respective dilutions in the antibody diluent (PBS+1% BSA). 100 μL of the diluted sera samples of the different experimental groups were added in duplicates to the corresponding wells and incubated on a shaker set at 250 rpm for 2h at RT. 100 μL/well of the antibody diluent (PBS+1% BSA) formed the experimental blank. After incubation with sera, the plates were washed 4× with PBS-T (200 μL/well) and the excess fluid per well was removed by inverting the plate and by tapping on a clean dry tissue towel.

Incubation (Detection Antibody):

The corresponding detection antibody, anti-rabbit or anti-mouse IgG HRP conjugate was diluted 1:10,000 in the antibody diluent (PBS+1% BSA) and 100 μL/well was added and incubated on a shaker at 250 rpm for 1h at RT. After the incubation with detection antibody, the plates were washed 5× with PBS-T (200 μL/well) and the excess fluid per well was removed by inverting the plate and by tapping on a clean dry tissue towel.

Substrate Addition:

To each well, 100 μL of the ready to use TMB (3,3,′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine) substrate (normalized to r.t. from 4° C.) was added and incubated in dark for 15 min. The blue color of the enzymatic reaction was stopped by adding 50 μL/well of 2M H₂SO₄ solution resulting in a yellow colored solution. The absorption of the yellow colored solution was measured at 450 nm using a plate reader.

Results:

The absorption values were analyzed by plotting a graph using the GraphPad Prism software.

Results.

Characterization of Glycoconjugates 21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇.

The KPC antigen glycoconjugates 21*-CRM₁₉₇ and 69*-CRM₁₉₇ used for the immunization studies were analyzed for the conjugation efficiency and antigen content. MALDI analysis of the glycoconjugates revealed a very good conjugation efficiency. The mass differences between the conjugated and unconjugated CRM₁₉₇ protein yielded a loading from 2-15, preferably from 3-10 antigens/CRM₁₉₇ molecule for the different glycoconjugates.

The glycoconjugates were also analyzed by a 10% SDS-PAGE and SEC that revealed a clear mass shift as compared to the unconjugated CRM₁₉₇ protein (FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B).

ELISA Data.

Sera from 21*-CRM₁₉₇/69*-CRM₁₉₇ immunized mice recognize the corresponding antigens (see FIG. 6). The sera also cross-react with the corresponding K. pneumoniae LPS (see FIG. 7). Sera from 21*-CRM₁₉₇/69*-CRM₁₉₇ immunized rabbits recognize the corresponding O-antigens in the related BSA conjugates 21*-BSA and 69*-BSA, respectively (see FIG. 8). Sera from 21*-CRM₁₉₇/69*-CRM₁₉₇ immunized mice recognize selectively the corresponding K. pneumoniae LPS (see FIG. 9).

The herein provided data demonstrate that after immunization with a conjugate of the present invention, functional antibodies against oligosaccharides of the present invention as well as against the natural O-polysaccharides of K. pneumoniae serotypes O3, O3b and O5 were elicited in rabbits and mice. The Antibodies do cross-react with the natural O-polysaccharides (LPS) of K. pneumoniae serotypes O3, O3b and O5 indicating the potential of these antibodies to bind to K. pneumoniae bacteria and to confer protection against K. pneumoniae infection.

The ELISA data further proves that the conjugates of the present invention are immunogenic and induce high antibody titers. Hence, ELISA analysis shows that the oligosaccharides of formula (I) of the present invention are immunogenic in rabbits and mice and generate cross reactive antibodies. 

1. An oligosaccharide of general formula (I) T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)-T-O-L-E  (I) wherein m is an integer selected from 0 and 1; x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3; n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10;

-T- represents a bond, —(U_(x+4))_(m)—(V_(x+2))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1))_(1-m)—, —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2))_(m)— or —(U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1))_(m)—; T*- represents H—, H—(U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)—, H—(U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)— or H—(U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—; L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl); or a diastereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The oligosaccharide according to claim 1 of general formula (II) T*-[(—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m)]_(n)—O-L-E  (II) wherein m, n, x, L, E, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1), V_(x+2) and T* have the meanings as defined in claim
 1. 3. The oligosaccharide according to claim 1, wherein -L- represents -L^(a)-, -L^(a)-L^(e)-, -L^(a)_L^(b)-L^(e)-, or -L^(a)_L^(d)-L^(e)-; -L^(a)- represents —(CH₂)_(o)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(o)—CH₂; -L^(b)- represents —O—, —NH—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—CH₂—NH—, —NH—CO—; -L^(d)- represents —(CH₂)_(q)—, —(CH(OH))_(q)—, —(CF₂)_(q)—, —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—C₂H₄—, or —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(q)—CH₂—; -L^(e)- represents —(CH₂)_(p1)—, —(CF₂)_(p1)—, —C₂H₄—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)—, —CH₂—(O—CH₂—CH₂)_(p1)— or —(CH₂)_(p1)—O—(CH₂)_(p2)—; and o, q, p1 and p2 are independently of each other an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and
 6. 4. The oligosaccharide according to claim 1, wherein —O-L-E is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R′ represents —H, -Me, -Et, 4-nitrophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, —N-hydroxysuccinimidyl, -(3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl), or -(dibenzocyclooctyne-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl); X represents —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂H, or —SAc.
 5. The oligosaccharide according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:


6. A conjugate comprising an oligosaccharide according to claim 1 covalently linked to an immunogenic carrier through the residue E of the —O-L-E group.
 7. A method for raising a protective immune response in a human and/or animal host, said method comprising administering at least one oligosaccharide according to claim 1 to said human or animal host.
 8. A method of prevention and/or treatment of a disease associated with bacteria containing in their lipopolysaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments: -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-, in a human and/or animal host comprising administering at least one oligosaccharide according to claim 1 to said human or animal host.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the diseases associated with bacteria include pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, urinary tract infection, wound infection, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, septicemia and ankylosing spondylitis.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate according to claim 6 together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant and/or excipient.
 11. A method for detecting antibodies against bacteria containing in their O-polysaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments: -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-, comprising using an oligosaccharide according to claim 1 as a marker.
 12. A method for synthesis of oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprising of: A1) providing a monosaccharide 1

wherein P¹, P² and P⁴ represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein L represents a linker and: E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; A2) treating monosaccharide 1 with a building block 2 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹-P⁴ represent protecting groups and LG¹ represents a leaving group; A3) performing removal of protecting group P³; A4) treating the product of step A3) with a building block 3 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P¹, P², P⁵ and P⁶ represent protecting groups and LG² represents a leaving group; A5) performing removal of protecting group P⁶; A6) repeating steps A4) and A5) two times to obtain intermediate compound 4a;

wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein L represents a linker and: E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; A7) optionally repeating steps A2)-A6) in the following order A2)→A3)→A2)→A3)→A4)→A5)→A6) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5a,

wherein P¹, P², P⁴ and P⁵ represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; A8) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I). OR a method for synthesis of oligosaccharide of general formula (I) comprising of: F1) providing a monosaccharide 7

wherein P⁷, P⁸ and P⁹ represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; F2) treating monosaccharide 7 with a building block 8 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P⁷-P¹⁰ represent protecting groups and LG³ represents a leaving group; F3) performing removal of protecting group P¹⁰; F4) treating the product of step F3) with building block 9 in presence of an activating agent

wherein P⁷, P⁸, P¹¹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and LG⁴ represents a leaving group; F5) performing removal of protecting group P¹¹ to obtain intermediate compound 4f;

wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; F6) optionally repeating steps F2)-F5) in the following order F2)→F3)→F2)→F4)→F5) n−1 times to obtain intermediate compound of formula 5f,

wherein P⁷-P⁹ and P¹² represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc; F7) performing removal of all protecting groups to obtain an oligosaccharide of general formula (I).
 13. An intermediate compound for preparing an oligosaccharide of the general formulae (I), wherein the intermediate compound has any one of general formulae (I2a), (I2b), (I2c), (I2d), (I2e), (I2f), (I2g), (I2h), (I3a), (I3b), (I3c), (I3d), (I3e), (I3f), (I3g), (I3h), (I3i), (I3j), (I3k), (I3l), (I3m), (I3n), (I4a), (I4b), (I4c), (I4d), (I4e), (I4f), (I4g), (I4h), (I4i), (I4j), (I5a), (I5b), (I5c), (I5d), (I5e), (I5f), (I5g), (I5h), (I5i) or (I5j):

wherein P¹-P⁶ represent protecting groups and C represents -L-E_(p) with Ep being a solid support or a protected end group E, wherein L represents a linker and; E represents —NH₂, —N₃, —CN, —O—NH₂, —CH═CH₂, —C≡CH, —Br, —Cl, —I, —CO₂R′, —COR′, —CONH—NH₂, —SH, or —SAc.
 14. The conjugate according to claim 6 of general formula (V) [H—((—U_(x+4)—U_(x+3)—U_(x+2)—U_(x+1)—U_(x))_(m)—(V_(x+2)—V_(x+1)—V_(x))_(1-m))_(n)—O-L-E₁-W]_(c)-CRM₁₉₇  (V) wherein c is comprised between 2 and 18; -E₁- represents a covalent bond, —NH—, —O—NH—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CH═CH—, —CONH—, —CO—NHNH—,

—W— is selected from:

a represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, b represents an integer selected from 1, 2, 3 and 4, and m, n, x, L, U_(x+1), U_(x+2), U_(x+3), U_(x+4), V_(x), V_(x+1) and V_(x+2), wherein m is an integer selected from 0 and 1; x is an integer selected from 1 to 2×m+3; n is an integer selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; L represents a linker;


15. The conjugate according to claim 14, wherein the conjugate has any one of the following formula (V-1)-(V-11)

wherein L, E₁, W, c and n have the meanings as defined in claim
 14. 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the oligosaccharide according to claim 1 together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant and/or excipient.
 17. A method for raising a protective immune response in a human and/or animal host, said method comprising administering at least one conjugate according to claim 6 to said human or animal host.
 18. A method of prevention and/or treatment of a disease associated with bacteria containing in their lipopolysaccharide one of the following oligosaccharide fragments: -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-β-D-Man-(1-; -2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1-; -3)-α-D-Man-(1, 3)-α-D-Man-(1, 2)-α-D-Man-(1-, in a human and/or animal host comprising administering at least one conjugate according to claim 6 to said human or animal host.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the diseases associated with bacteria include pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis, urinary tract infection, wound infection, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, septicemia and ankylosing spondylitis. 